Oklahoma State hires UMass' Ford

Massachusetts athletic director Jason Yellin confirms that coach and former Wildcats guard Travis Ford agreed today to take over as the Cowboys' head coach.

Wednesday, April 16th 2008, 12:21 pm

By: News 9


Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma State turns to another coach with Kentucky ties to restore postseason success to its basketball program.

Massachusetts athletic director Jason Yellin confirms that coach and former Wildcats guard Travis Ford agreed today to take over as the Cowboys' head coach.

Ford will replace Sean Sutton, who resigned under pressure April 1 after leading the Cowboys to first-round NIT losses in his only two full seasons as head coach.

The 38-year-old Ford led UMass to a 25-and-11 record this season and an appearance in the NIT championship game, where it lost to Ohio State. His record at UMass was 62-and-35 in three seasons.

OSU's last major coaching search also ended with a Kentucky connection, when then-head coach Eddie Sutton decided to return to his alma mater. The Cowboys went to the NCAA tournament in 13 of the next 16 seasons -- including Final Four appearances in 1995 and 2004.
Sutton stepped aside following a drunk-driving accident in 2006.

OSU originally pursued Kansas coach Bill Self for the position, but he decided to stay with the national champion Jayhawks.

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