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| Muskingum athletics file photo |
Gene Ford, a Muskingum alumnus ('74), announced his retirement after eight seasons as Muskingum head men's basketball coach. His announcement concludes a storied coaching career that spanned 39 years.
"It's the right time," said Coach Ford. "I've been blessed to have been involved with basketball for four decades and it's now time to step aside and spend more time with my family. The relationships I've developed with the student-athletes, coaches, staff and administration are the things I'll miss the most."
Ford took over from his son, Geno Ford, following the 2006-07 season. The Muskies are 68-135 (.335) under his tenure.
A member of the Muskingum Athletic Hall of Fame, Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, Ford coached four 1,000-point scorers at Muskingum, numerous All-Ohio Athletic Conference honorees and has led the Muskies to the OAC Tournament Final Four.
Throughout his tenure at Muskingum, Ford guided his Muskie squads to the top of the OAC in assists per game, fewest turnovers per game, best turnover/assist ratio, scoring defense, free throw shooting percentage, three-point field goal shooting percentage and rebounding defense.
"Coach Ford has been an outstanding leader at the helm of the men's basketball program," said Muskingum athletic director Larry Shank. "He has helped so many players grow as student-athletes. His wealth of coaching experience and wisdom will be missed."
As a player at Muskingum, the Black & Magenta graduate was a four-year basketball letterman and continues to rank second all-time in scoring with 1,717 career points. He was an All-American honoree, three-time All-OAC selection, and helped lead the Muskies to two OAC championships. Ford was named the Mike Gregory OAC Player of the Year as a senior and was a charter member of the Muskingum Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980.
Muskingum will conduct an immediate national search for its next men's basketball head coach.