Ford to take Oklahoma State job, according to reports
Michael King, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
(Editors note: this story was updated at 6:45 p.m.)
Less than one week after Massachusetts men's basketball coach Travis Ford signed a contract extension with UMass, there's a distinct possibility that the coach will be employed by Oklahoma State in the very near future.
ESPN.com's Doug Gottlieb reported this afternoon that OK State will name Ford the school's new coach "barring unforeseen circumstances."
UMass sports information director Jason Yellin said Ford was in Amherst today with his family thinking over the OSU contract offer this afternoon.
According to numerous reports, Ford has accepted the position. A press gathering has been called at the Mullins Center tonight at 7:30 p.m., to address the situation.
UMass Athletic Director John McCutcheon announced Ford's contract extension at last week's men's basketball banquet. He told fans to relax since Ford will be coaching "the team for many years to come."
Since the end of the Minutemen's season two weeks ago, Ford has been a candidate for the Louisiana State and Providence jobs. Ford released a statement denying interest in the LSU position last week.
"There has been a lot [of] misinformation circulating about me and the job at LSU," Ford said in a prepared statement released on April 8. "I feel that it is necessary to state that I do not want to be considered for the job."
Before the Minutemen completed their season, there was rampant speculation that LSU would hire Ford to replace John Brady, who was fired in February. Multiple sources, including ESPN's Pat Forde, estimated the possibility of LSU hiring Ford to be around 90 percent.
One day later, Ford interviewed with Providence but decided to remain with UMass and signed a contract extension.
UMass completed its season last Thursday with a loss to Ohio State in the finals of the National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden. The Minutemen finished with a 25-11 record and will lose three senior starters to graduation. The 2008-09 season would mark Ford's fourth year at the University, after spending five seasons at Eastern Kentucky.
Former Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton resigned after two seasons with a 39-29 record and no NCAA Tournament appearances. He took over the program from his father, coach Eddie Sutton, in 2006-07.
Eli Rosenswaike contributed to this report.
Less than one week after Massachusetts men's basketball coach Travis Ford signed a contract extension with UMass, there's a distinct possibility that the coach will be employed by Oklahoma State in the very near future.
ESPN.com's Doug Gottlieb reported this afternoon that OK State will name Ford the school's new coach "barring unforeseen circumstances."
UMass sports information director Jason Yellin said Ford was in Amherst today with his family thinking over the OSU contract offer this afternoon.
According to numerous reports, Ford has accepted the position. A press gathering has been called at the Mullins Center tonight at 7:30 p.m., to address the situation.
UMass Athletic Director John McCutcheon announced Ford's contract extension at last week's men's basketball banquet. He told fans to relax since Ford will be coaching "the team for many years to come."
Since the end of the Minutemen's season two weeks ago, Ford has been a candidate for the Louisiana State and Providence jobs. Ford released a statement denying interest in the LSU position last week.
"There has been a lot [of] misinformation circulating about me and the job at LSU," Ford said in a prepared statement released on April 8. "I feel that it is necessary to state that I do not want to be considered for the job."
Before the Minutemen completed their season, there was rampant speculation that LSU would hire Ford to replace John Brady, who was fired in February. Multiple sources, including ESPN's Pat Forde, estimated the possibility of LSU hiring Ford to be around 90 percent.
One day later, Ford interviewed with Providence but decided to remain with UMass and signed a contract extension.
UMass completed its season last Thursday with a loss to Ohio State in the finals of the National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden. The Minutemen finished with a 25-11 record and will lose three senior starters to graduation. The 2008-09 season would mark Ford's fourth year at the University, after spending five seasons at Eastern Kentucky.
Former Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton resigned after two seasons with a 39-29 record and no NCAA Tournament appearances. He took over the program from his father, coach Eddie Sutton, in 2006-07.
Eli Rosenswaike contributed to this report.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Tim
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:00 PM EST
Do'h!
Jerry
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:17 PM EST
PWNED
Bourne
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:33 PM EST
Well I guess we know what his word means. What is wrong with these coaches that sign contract extensions only to leave immediately after? Talk about unfair. (Continued…)
Jay
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:56 PM EST
PAY HIM! Don't let another good young coach escape Amherst. We need to build this program and then get UMass out of the A10 conference. It's killing this school athletic program. (Continued…)
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