John DeGroat joined South Kent School as the Assistant Prep Basketball Coach and Head Development Team Coach in the fall 2022-2023 academic year. DeGroat received his Associate Degree at Northeastern Community College before earning his Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice from the University of Pittsburgh. Having competed professionally overseas for over 15 years, DeGroat joins the South Kent community as a passionate basketball player-turned-coach, ready to help inspire young players to work hard on and off the court.
Coach DeGroat launched his coaching career volunteering with the R.Y.T.E.S. Warriors Pittsburgh AAU team and the Winchester Thurston High School team before becoming Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. There, he helped lead his team to become the 2022 PSAC Champions and 2022 Atlantic Regional Champions, with a 2022 appearance in the Final Four (33-3 Overall; 20-2 Conference play). As a player, DeGroat traveled and competed professionally as a Small Forward in several countries. During his seven seasons in Argentina, he was awarded Argentina Power Forward of the Year. When not playing or coaching basketball, Coach DeGroat enjoys golfing, fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with his family.