Holder's hiring of Travis Ford is not a big splash But it is similar to another recent in-state hire Holder's hiring of Travis Ford is not a big splash
Now, it has hooked Travis Ford.
A splash, this isn't.
The search for OSU's next men's basketball coach started with the biggest of fish. Self is fresh off a national championship at Kansas, where he decided to stay after a hefty pay increase and a generous contract extension.
Which leads us to Ford.
The man who will be announced today as the Cowboys new coach is an up-and-comer, a guy who honed his skills at an NAIA school, who turned bottom-feeder Eastern Kentucky into an NCAA Tournament team and who's resurrected UMass after a decade of decline.
Ford might be a darn good choice for OSU.
But admit it, my orange-clad friends, you didn't exactly go crazy Wednesday when you heard the news that OSU athletic director Mike Holder had extended an offer and you realized Ford probably wouldn't refuse.
Maybe you were sitting at your computer. Maybe you were driving in your car. Did you throw your hands up in celebration? Did you pound the steering wheel in excitement?
Doubtful.
Hold on a minute. Haven't we experienced a hire like this before before?
Two years ago, Oklahoma needed to find itself a basketball coach after Kelvin Sampson's departure. A bunch of top-tier names were thrown around. Gonzaga's Mark Few. Boston College's Al Skinner. Marquette's Tom Crean. Wake Forest's Skip Prosser. Miami's Frank Haith. Even NBA assistant P.J. Carlesimo, who might find his way to our fair state in the near future anyway.
On the evening of April 10, 2006, our sports department prepared a story about the progress of the coaching search.
"Prosser thought to be OU's primary target,” the headline read.
That story and headline never made the late editions. As the night wore on, new information came available.
Jeff Capel was the guy.
"Virginia Commonwealth's Capel OU choice?” the new headline read.
Capel's name had been absent from discussions in the days leading up to his hire, much like Ford's has been these past couple weeks. And when it became known that Capel was the pick, most Sooner fans reacted the same way.
Shrugs.
So it seems with Cowboy fans now.
Trolling the internet message boards Wednesday, you saw emotions that spanned the gamut. There were those who celebrated Ford's hire: "Ford has steadily moved up the chain and can make a change for the better,” one wrote. Others were less excited: "What ... is going on in Stillwater?”
But more than anything, the vibe was one of wait-and-see. Criticism was sparse, but so was praise. No one jumping for joy. No one jumping off a cliff.
"Will Travis Ford get it done?” one fan wrote on a message board. "I don't know, but I am at least willing to try and be objective ... ”
The feeling was similar when Capel was hired.
And we know how that turned out. Capel had a rough first season, but he made some pretty significant strides last season. Now, with Blake Griffin returning and Willie Warren coming, the Sooners have great promise heading into Year 3.
How will it go with Ford?
It's impossible to predict, of course. He doesn't have to be a splash hire to make waves in Stillwater, but there are certainly more unknowns with a guy like Ford. Sure, he's improved the programs at both of his Division-I stops, but he also failed to win an outright regular-season conference title in eight seasons in the Ohio Valley and the Atlantic 10.
Does that make him the wrong guy for OSU?
Not necessarily.
Then again, maybe.
Just like a few years ago when OU hired Capel, we know very little for sure about the man that OSU has hired as its next men's basketball coach.
About the only thing that's certain is that OSU went fishing for a big catch and reeled in Ford.
You guys are being too hard on Jeni. I think she's trying to help OSU fans find a silver lining after they came to the shocking realization that their program isn't all they crack it up to be.
Jenni the investigator...do you have a subscription to Gopokes...what name do you use there? Thx for turning a OSU article into bring in OU..jeez Lets see you did 5 min investigating this one?
Jess, I'm sure what you meant was that you "could easily HAVE WRITTEN" something off the top of your head. Oh, and "nonfactual" isn't a word. Maybe you should work on your grasp of English before you start in on other folks.
The Oklahoman really needs to examine their caliber of journalists. As big as the Oklahoman is, I am surprised how poorly researched and nonfactual a lot of articles are. I could easily wrote something off of the top of my head based on my opinion and "stuff" I read off message boards. This is not just a Jenni rant, although she is one of the worst, several others, especially sports "journalists" are terrible.
Jenni, you really think the offer to Self was anything other than a "courtesy" to an OSU grad that still has many friends and ties to Stillwater? Of course Holder had to make him an offer, but in NO way did he or anyone else expect Self to leave KU. It was simply a formality that had to be followed before he could start a serious search. I actually think Travis Ford may be a good fit for OSU. Established coaches rarely leave ANY school where they are successful and well taken care of. Hey, you think KU didn't make an offer to Dean Smith back in the day? Smith was a KU grad that played for Phog Allen, after all. But Smith stayed at UNC, didn't he? And please don't tell me about Roy Williams, he stayed at KU the first time UNC came calling and only left the second time because the new AD at KU was a complete fool and drove him off!! Lost his AD job over it, but it was too late.
Jenni, Jenni, Jenni... you don't have any orange clad friends!! If you can't think of anything to say about OSU without bringing ou into the mix, just don't write it ok?
Doug, if being an alum myself I am dissappointed in the hire. Apparently we did not learn from Missourri this past year. Fast up tempo play is not going to work in the Big 12. As for the hire, Capel actually had won in the NCAA Tournament. I think that coupled with the fact that he has not won an A10 conference tournament game is a disgrace to the program.
I really believe the Pokes are getting a great young coach. As an OSU fan I believe that S. Sutton probably should have had another year, but he didn’t. I do believe that Ford will be able to give our program, that was struggling, a boost in his first year. I do worry about recruiting for this year, but I believe Ford's record as a recruiter at his former schools is impressive. --- How many scholarships does OSU have to give this year anyway? --- I did notice the OU bandwagon is ragging on us OSU folks again. Why do they worry about who we hire as a coach? I for one do not concern myself with OU articles, team news, records, or who OU hires. I would hate to think that I would waste my Oklahoma State trained mind by stooping to the level that many OU fans stoop to in order to try to demean my school. I hope other OSU alumni and fans will keep the high road and save their energy for the “ORANGE” ---- “POWER” cheers at our home games, in any of our beautifully appointed sports facilities. GO POKES!
Jeni is Jeni, had to compare it to Zero u, had to take her shots, I really think her and Rhode are reall pretty sad people, with little insight,all they can really do is sniff the jokes down south
I disagree on the idea that OSU didn't get a Self, Calipari or some other "Big" name coach that this isn't a splash. I am an OSU fan and alum and I'm very excited about Ford coming to Stillwater. And unlike his other stops the cupboard is not bare. I look forward to a more uptempo game at G-Iba next year. Go Pokes!
Hold on here...first of all I am not an OSU fan, with that said I think Ford will do just fine. He is a good coach and needs to be given a chance. I thought when OU hired Capel that he would not fit..."I was wrong". I hope that I am not wrong again when I say "Ford will fit" at OSU. I wish him the best and hope that he is successful there for many years.
Any names other than Self, Gillespie, or Callipari would be considered a "let down." In the last sentence, "About the only thing that's certain is that OSU went fishing for a big catch and reeled in Ford," any name could've been plugged in there. It didnt' take a lot of thought to write that column. You are the master of the obvious.
I think it is an awesome hire. He maybe the best up and coming coach on the market. Nice job of putting a negative spin on what could have been a good story. Jeni, I'd love to keep defending your name when many people say you don't know what you're doing but you're giving me less and less to work with when you put a negative spin or cast doubt like you've done.
Just to point out, I don't see any OSU fans on here taking shots at Capel. Maybe she can write a follow up piece on how many hamburgers Ford will let Eaton eat...what a hack.
Take your shots at Capel. He whipped your a$$e$ twice this year, and looks to me like he will get a couple more next year. I don't dislike Ford, he played hard, but can he bring in the type of talent needed. Not enough punch I believe, but we will see. Good Luck Travis, I'm sure in your mind you have picked out a nice stepping stone.
Hey KENNY...Sounds like she touched a nerve with you loser Aggies!!! I know that you're all still trying to get over the fact that the last time we heard from Jenny she was ripping Gumby and that chit-pile of a football team you guys trot out every year, and look what turned up after the fact....... Seems Jenny was right on and all the Aggies that ripped her sources, including Mr. Spiked Haired Freak Gumby, were proven wrong. Hell even Bobby Reid admitted last week that Gumby's rant was self serving and embarassing to him personally, and the main reason he left OSU!!!! The truth hurts doesn't it!!! HAHAHAHA Jenny Rocks!!!!
I agree on the crediable sources. I never thought we in the USA would not trust our media. It seems they can take a position, either pro or con and twist the rumors in their direction. We are to blame also, it seem prople only want to listen and read the negative. All is amazing to me!
I love how some Pokes are saying "oh well, it's still a better hire than Capel!" Jeff hasn't done too bad considering he had NO talent his first year. Personally I think Ford is a good coach. Yeah it's not the "big name" that everyone expected but still a good hire. I would have loved to see Dixon but I guess it just wasn't mean to be. I think Ford will do well with what he has this year and in the next few years even better. Jerry you have to have more faith in your school. OSU isn't a "stepping stone" job so keeping him shouldn't be a problem. In fact, I'd say if he does well his first two or three years, he'll get a nice cushy contract to stay for a long while. The only way I would see him leaving is if his alma mater came calling. Of course as you've seen, that doesn't always lure a guy away. Good luck this season, but I'm almost positive that you won't need it.
CAN WE PLEASE GET AN ARTICLE WITHOUT COMPARISONS TO UO AND SOURCES WHICH DO NOT COME FROM HEARSAY OR OPINIONS LIKE A CHATBOARD!?! IF YOU CAN NOT CITE FROM CREDIBLE SOURCES OR CONCENTRATE ON ONLY THE REAL TOPIC AT HAND THEN WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE LIKE CATFISH NOODLING OR YOUR HAIR GROOMER, BUT DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY!!!
Jenni has some good points, but Travis Ford was much more on the promising coaches radar than Jeff Capel. Ford is a very good hire. OSU's problem with Ford will not be his coaching and recruiting ability, the problem will be if we can keep him for the long term. He will eventually be a hot item, much like Stoops has been. Eddie Sutton didn't start out at Arkansas, Kentucky,or OSU. He started at Southern Idaho and moved on to Creighton and then on up. Knight and Coach K did not begin their careers at Indiana or Duke.
Mary, Mary, where are you? Chime in on this big time hire! Look at it this way, you may actually make it out of the first round of the NIT next year ... if you get in, that is. Nice job.
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I think it is an awesome hire. He maybe the best up and coming coach on the market. Nice job of putting a negative spin on what could have been a good story. Jeni, I'd love to keep defending your name when many people say you don't know what you're doing but you're giving me less and less to work with when you put a negative spin or cast doubt like you've done.