It appears Oklahoma State has hired a man of many interests in basketball coach Travis Ford, who accepted an offer to become OSU's next men's basketball coach on Wednesday.
Ford has written a book about playing basketball at Kentucky ("Big Blue Dreams”), appeared in a movie ("The Sixth Man” in 1997) and taken over ailing basketball programs at Eastern Kentucky (2000-05) and the University of Massachusetts (05-08).
Both schools had losing records before his arrival — EKU went 9-44 and UMass went 26-31 in the two seasons before Ford took over. In his first year EKU went 7-19, but the Colonels won more games each of Ford's last three years, culminating in 2005 with a 22-9 record, a conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, EKU's first since 1979.
In three years at UMass, Ford compiled a 62-35 record and went to the NIT in his last two years. Ford's overall record as a Division I coach is 123-115 with one NCAA Tournament appearance.
Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder declined to comment at length about the hire. A news conference introducing Ford is scheduled for 2 p.m. today.
"Athletics is about coaches and athletes, not athletic directors,” Holder said Wednesday evening. "He's the show now.”
Ford is Holder's first revenue-sport hire. The search process lasted 15 days from Sean Sutton's resignation on April 1, and included an offer to Bill Self last week, followed by Self's rejection and decision to stay at Kansas on April 10. Holder interviewed Ford early this week, along with Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery on Tuesday. Sources say no offer was extended to Lowery. Ford was in Stillwater on Tuesday night, then went back to Amherst and spoke with his players and the UMass administration Wednesday.
Ford, who was involved with openings at LSU and Providence this spring, negotiated a new contract at UMass less than a week ago. But the new agreement was never signed, so the buyout of $200,000 in his original contract will apply, UMass athletic director John McCutcheon confirmed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Ford made approximately $400,000 per year at UMass, according to the Boston Globe. Details of his new deal at OSU were not available Wednesday.
The Madisonville, Ky., native is OSU's fourth consecutive coach with Kentucky ties. After playing his freshman season in 1989-90 at Missouri (he didn't score in his one game in Gallagher-Iba Arena) the point guard transferred to Kentucky, where he played three seasons under Rick Pitino. Ford's first coaching job was at Campbellsville, an NAIA school in Kentucky.
Ford's teams have played in an up-tempo "Pitino style” of basketball, which people say matches his energetic personality.
"He's a fiery guy,” said Austin Newton, who walked onto Ford's team at Eastern Kentucky, eventually became a senior captain on the NCAA Tournament team and was on Ford's staff at UMass. "When you're in between the lines, he's so in to it. I'd run through a wall for the guy. He's a family man, too, got three little kids. But he's so intense when he steps between the lines. When it comes to basketball, he's intense.”
Said former Kentucky teammate and current Arkansas coach John Pelphrey: "Travis Ford is a great coach who is capable of being successful no matter where he is.”
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Lillie:
They call it nepotism. In case you,obviously a Gooner fan, don't know the definition of nepotism, here's a short simple definition. You got your job ecause of who your dad is, not because of youir own skills.
Now read that real slow to your former classmates. Yout too Jeff!
I believe he is comparable to Capel. I don't doubt his ability, but will either if them stay if they are successful. Capel made the tournament, and South Carolina came calling. They are both interesting hires to watch. I hope they bring and maintain a level of success in our state.
Let's be very clear, Lillie. Sean Sutton was NOT given a raw deal. He was not a good D1 basketball (to anyone who was paying attention)and $2.7 million is not a bad parting gift.
We need to get OVER IT!! Sean is gone. Can we please move on now? Give this new coach a chance to prove himself before you all write him off. So he is not a Sutton...BIG DEAL!!!
Well Jeff and Lillie if you are not going to be fans because of this hire...then we don't need you. You are FAIRWEATHER FANS! We don't need your kind at OSU!
I agree Lillie, and Eddie wants his named removed from the arena floor. Holder will give Ford more time then sean since its his hire. Holder will live or die with ford.
As a long time OSU fan. Sean Sutton was given a raw deal. They talked him into staying then put him in the wind because he didn't win fast enough for them. This is one fan that will not be flying black and orange until the current AD is gone!!!
wow what a let down from Bill Self. I thought ole T-boone could buy anyone, maybe thats the problem some coaches see a Dallas Cowboy ran operation on who is really in charge. With all that being said I wish the Guy well, the problem is will they give a young coach time or will it be 2 and your done.
He played three years at point for Pitino. Pretty good pedigree if you ask me. He's won at schools that had poor programs when he arrived so he's had to start from scratch. Don't let mediocre records fool you. What's important is his squads won and won fairly.
When Castiglion hired Stoops he said that any good AD always has a short list of potential head coach candidates. When Holder fired Shawn, he said he hadn't talked to anyone and would have to talk to a lot of people to learn more about potential head coaching candidates. A world of difference in style and approach. We can only hope that this guy turns out better than his marginal coaching record would indicate. But he does look good on the side lines.
Sounds like the guy is a builder of character. If he is a good leader, can build character, and just make OSU competitive, then that will be a great hire. Good luck, Travis Ford. I wish you well with the Cowboys!
Saying goodbye
OSU's new coach, Travis Ford, met with his former team at the University of Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon to inform them he had accepted the Oklahoma State job. UMass athletic director John McCutcheon then had a press conference to announce Ford's departure.
Ford was not at the press conference but issued this statement:
"I have greatly enjoyed my three years here at UMass. It was a very difficult decision to leave UMass, one which my family and I struggled with mightily.”
"I wish nothing but the best for the staff and players at UMass. They have been and will always be family to me. I feel the team at UMass has a great nucleus in place and I wish them the best in the future.”
Ford led UMass to a 25-11 record this season and an appearance in the NIT championship game, where it lost to Ohio State. He directed the Minutemen to a 62-35 mark in three seasons, including NIT bids the past two seasons.
From Staff and Wire reports
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They call it nepotism. In case you,obviously a Gooner fan, don't know the definition of nepotism, here's a short simple definition. You got your job ecause of who your dad is, not because of youir own skills.
Now read that real slow to your former classmates. Yout too Jeff!