Athens, OH (Best E Casino) - Ohio University introduced former Ohio State assistant John Groce as its new men's basketball coach on Friday.

The Bobcats have had a vacancy since Monday, when Tim O'Shea resigned to take over the transitional Division I program at Bryant University in Rhode Island.

"What a great day for Bobcat athletics," athletic director Jim Schaus said. "John Groce has long been considered one of the top assistant coaches in the country, and has been renowned for both his recruiting successes and offensive expertise. He has won everywhere he has been, he has coached for programs at the highest level and he has worked under some of the top coaches in the country."

Groce has spent the past four seasons at Ohio State with Thad Matta and was also an assistant for Matta at Xavier and Butler. He started his Division I coaching career in 1996 at North Carolina State under Herb Sendek.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the head coach at Ohio University," Groce said. "I appreciate the board of trustees, Dr. McDavis and Jim Schaus affording me and my family the chance to be part of the Bobcat community. We look forward to the transition and are very excited about the opportunity we have to positively impact the basketball program, the university and the Athens community at large."

The 36-year-old native of Indiana played collegiately at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana and began his coaching career at his alma mater.

"John Groce deserves to be a Division I head coach," Matta said. "We're sad to see him leave our program. He's ready, and he's going to do a great job at Ohio University. He will be a terrific fit with a terrific program."

O'Shea spent seven years at Ohio U, compiling a record of 120-95. A graduate of Boston College, O'Shea decided to leave to be closer to home.