Missouri State fires Ford after six seasons
Missouri State fires Ford after six seasons
MBB: Ford is the second Missouri Valley coach to be fired this weekend
Missouri State announced the firing of Head Coach Dana Ford Sunday morning. Ford led the Bears to a 17-16 record this year and a trip to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Missouri State beat Murray State, 60-35, Thursday in the opening round of the tournament before losing to Indiana State in Friday’s quarterfinals. In Ford’s six seasons in Springfield, Missouri State’s only postseason appearance was the 2022 NIT.
"Dana has been an amazing role model for our players and a great ambassador for our university and our program," Missouri State Athletics Director Kyle Moats said in a statement today. "Likewise, he has given so much of his time in support of youth programs, charities and other community endeavors. That's why this decision was not easy. I want to thank coach Ford and his staff for their hard work and professionalism during their tenure at Missouri State."
Ford was 106-82 in his time at Missouri State. Speculation really started to ramp up about Ford’s future in early January after Murray State’s 77-53 win over the Bears in Springfield. Minutes after the game, Moats posted the following message on X/Twitter:
The Bears finished the regular season 16-15 overall and 8-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Their 9th place finish in the Valley was the Bears’ worst during Ford’s time as head coach.
In the statement, Moats said a national search is underway to find Ford’s replacement. The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman is reporting Northwest Missouri State’s Ben McCollum is expected to be in the mix. McCollum has led Northwest Missouri State to Division II national championships in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.