Akron Basketball Coach: Meet the Zips’ Head Coach

Introduction

The Akron basketball coach is Dustin Ford, who became the 23rd head coach in University of Akron men’s basketball history on March 30, 2026. Ford stepped into the position after spending nine seasons on Akron’s coaching staff, including time as associate head coach. His promotion marked a new chapter for a program that had enjoyed sustained success in the Mid-American Conference.

Ford enters his first season as head coach with extensive knowledge of the program, its players, and its competitive environment. His previous work included responsibilities connected to player development and defense, giving him considerable familiarity with Akron’s established basketball structure. That continuity is an important part of the coaching transition as the Zips prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.

Who Is the Akron Basketball Coach?

Dustin Ford is the current head coach of Akron men’s basketball. The university announced his appointment on March 30, 2026, and officially introduced him as the program’s 23rd head coach in April. Before receiving the promotion, Ford spent nine seasons as an associate head coach at Akron, making his transition to the top position an internal promotion rather than an arrival from another program.

Ford’s background extends beyond Akron. Before joining the Zips, he spent five seasons as an assistant at Illinois and four seasons at Ohio, both under John Groce. His previous experience included postseason appearances and conference success, while his Akron tenure placed him inside a program that developed into one of the Mid-American Conference’s consistent contenders.

Dustin Ford’s Coaching Background

Ford’s Akron background is one of the most important parts of his coaching profile. During his nine seasons with the program, he was involved in a period that included six MAC championships, three consecutive MAC Tournament titles, and four NCAA postseason appearances. The university also credits him with playing an important role in developing frontcourt players such as Enrique Freeman and Amani Lyles.

Defense has also been a notable part of Ford’s previous responsibilities. Akron says that, as defensive coordinator, he oversaw a Zips defense that ranked among the MAC’s top four in Defensive Efficiency Rating during each of his last eight seasons. That record provides useful context for understanding the systems and responsibilities he brings into his first year as head coach.

John Groce and the Akron Coaching Transition

John Groce remains an important name whenever people search for the Akron basketball coach because he led the program from 2017 through 2026. Akron announced on March 30, 2026, that Groce was stepping down after guiding the Zips to six MAC championships and four NCAA postseason appearances. His departure ended a significant coaching era for the program.

The transition is particularly notable because Ford worked with Groce at several points in his coaching career. Ford was an assistant under Groce at Ohio and Illinois before spending nine seasons on Akron’s staff. This professional connection gives Ford considerable familiarity with the coaching philosophy and organizational environment that existed during Groce’s tenure, although Ford now leads the program in his own role. gozips.com

University of Akron Basketball Coach in 2026

For the 2026-27 season, Dustin Ford officially leads the University of Akron men’s basketball program. The current Akron roster lists Ford as head coach, with Jay Shunnar serving as associate head coach and Devan Morrow, Joshua Jones, Todd May, and Jordan Amati among the assistant coaches. The structure gives Ford a staff combining returning Akron experience with coaches who joined the program in 2026.

The coaching transition also included several staff additions. Akron announced in April that Ford had added Jay Shunnar, Todd May, and Joshua Jones, while Devan Morrow returned to the staff. The additions brought experience from programs including North Texas, Concord, and North Dakota State, giving Ford a broader coaching group as he begins his first season in charge.

Akron Basketball Coaching Staff

A head coach rarely operates alone, especially in college basketball. Recruiting, scouting, player development, strength training, academic support, and game preparation require a broad staff structure. Akron’s 2026-27 roster lists Ford alongside associate head coach Jay Shunnar and assistant coaches Devan Morrow, Joshua Jones, Todd May, and Jordan Amati, supported by additional personnel.

The new staff additions also provide different coaching backgrounds. Shunnar previously worked at North Texas and Cleveland State, while Jones spent six seasons at North Dakota State. May arrived after serving as head coach at Concord University. Their experiences give Ford additional perspectives in recruiting, player development, scouting, and day-to-day program management.

Akron Basketball Coach Salary

Salary information is a common search topic for college basketball coaches, but compensation figures should be separated into verified contract terms and third-party estimates. A coach’s compensation can potentially include base salary, performance incentives, benefits, bonuses, and other contractual provisions. Without a verified current contract document, publishing a specific figure as Ford’s salary would risk presenting an estimate as established fact.

For readers researching the Akron basketball coach salary, official university announcements and publicly available records are the most appropriate sources. Compensation can also change when contracts are renewed or amended. As a result, salary information should always be checked against the most recent documentation rather than relying on older figures associated with John Groce or previous coaching arrangements.

Akron Basketball Coach Record and Program Success

Ford begins his head-coaching tenure after being part of an exceptionally productive period for Akron basketball. The university says the 2025-26 Zips established program records for total wins, regular-season wins, home winning streak, total points, field goals made, field-goal percentage, scoring average, and total assists. Akron finished that season with a 29-6 record.

The program’s recent conference performance also provides important context. Akron went 34-2 in MAC play across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons combined, according to the university. Those results belong to the program’s recent history rather than Ford’s head-coaching record, so his own record should be tracked separately as the 2026-27 season progresses.

Akron Basketball Coach Recruiting and Player Development

Recruiting is one of the central responsibilities facing any Division I head coach. Building a competitive roster involves identifying prospects, evaluating transfers, developing relationships, and creating a team structure that fits the program’s playing style. Ford’s long experience at Akron gives him familiarity with the university’s recruiting environment and the standards expected inside the program.

Player development is another area connected closely with Ford’s previous work. Akron specifically highlights his involvement in the development of frontcourt players including Enrique Freeman and Amani Lyles. His experience as a defensive coordinator also means he enters the head-coaching position with a detailed understanding of how defensive systems can shape player responsibilities and team identity.

Akron Basketball Coach and the 2026-27 Roster

The 2026-27 Akron roster includes a mixture of returning experience, transfers, and younger players. The official roster lists players including Evan Mahaffey, Ty Pence, Max Burton, Chabi Barre, Cody Head, and several younger members. This combination gives the coaching staff multiple player profiles to work with as the new coaching era begins.

The roster also includes freshmen such as RJ Jones and Devan Christion, alongside several returning or experienced players. That mixture can make player development especially important during a coaching transition. Rather than assuming how the roster will perform, the more useful approach is to watch how Ford and his staff distribute minutes, establish roles, and develop the team during the season.

What Style Does the Akron Basketball Program Play?

Akron’s recent identity has included defensive consistency and strong offensive production. Ford’s previous responsibilities included serving as defensive coordinator, while the 2025-26 team produced several offensive program records. Those results provide historical context for the style of basketball associated with the program, although the 2026-27 season will reveal how Ford’s leadership shapes the team going forward.

The new coaching staff may also influence specific aspects of the team’s approach. Coaches with different backgrounds can contribute ideas involving offensive systems, defensive schemes, scouting, and player development. For that reason, following the team’s early-season games can provide more meaningful evidence about Ford’s head-coaching identity than relying solely on his previous assistant-coaching responsibilities.

Akron Basketball Coach and the Future of the Zips

Ford’s first season represents a transition without a complete break from Akron’s recent basketball structure. He already knows the program after nine seasons on its staff, while several coaches around him bring additional experience. The 2026-27 season therefore provides an opportunity to see how that combination translates into recruiting, player development, conference performance, and on-court execution.

The university’s September 2026 schedule announcement confirmed that Akron enters the season after a 29-6 campaign and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Ford begins his first season with that recent history as the backdrop. The most useful indicators to follow will be measurable developments such as conference results, player performance, roster development, and the team’s statistical profile rather than unsupported predictions.

Key areas to watch include:

• Conference performance and tournament results
• Player development and rotation decisions
• Recruiting and transfer additions
• Offensive and defensive efficiency
• Roster continuity
• NCAA postseason qualification
• Coaching staff stability

How to Follow the Akron Basketball Coach and Zips

Fans looking for current information should follow University of Akron Athletics for official coaching announcements, schedules, rosters, results, and program news. The university’s current 2026-27 roster identifies Dustin Ford as head coach and lists the supporting coaching staff, making it a useful reference when older search results still show John Groce.

Official sources are particularly important during a coaching transition because search engines can continue displaying historical pages for former coaches. For the most current information about the Akron basketball coach, readers should compare publication dates and use recent Akron Athletics announcements when confirming staff changes, roster information, or coaching updates.

Conclusion

Dustin Ford is the current Akron basketball coach, taking over as the 23rd head coach in program history in March 2026. His appointment followed nine seasons on the Akron staff and came after a highly successful period for the Zips. His previous responsibilities included defensive coordination and player development, giving him substantial familiarity with the program he now leads.

John Groce remains an important part of Akron basketball history, but he is no longer the program’s head coach. Ford’s first season provides a fresh chapter while retaining considerable continuity with the recent program structure. As the 2026-27 season develops, conference performance, roster development, recruiting, and team statistics will offer the clearest picture of how Akron’s new coaching era takes shape.

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