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Geno Ford
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Gene A. "Geno" Ford[2] (born October 11, 1974) is an American college basketball coach and former college and professional basketball player. He is currently the men's head coach for the Stony Brook Seawolves, a position he has held since 2019. He was previously the head coach at Shawnee State University, Muskingum University (then Muskingum College), Kent State University (2008–2011) and Bradley University (2011–2015).

Key Information

Ford was an assistant coach at Ohio University, Kent State and Stony Brook. He was promoted to head coach at Stony Brook after serving on Jeff Boals' staff for three seasons. Before turning to coaching, Ford was a prolific scorer in high school and in college at Ohio University. He graduated with the second-most points scored in Ohio high school basketball and the fourth-most points for the Ohio Bobcats.

Playing career

[edit]

High school

[edit]

Ford was a high school standout at Cambridge High School in Cambridge, Ohio, playing for his father, Gene Ford. In 1993, after his senior season, he was named Ohio Mr. Basketball by the Associated Press.[3] Ford scored 2,680 points in high school, second-most in history at the time of his graduation[4] and currently the fourth-most behind Jon Diebler (3,208 points), Luke Kennard (2,977 points) and Jay Burson (2,958), but higher than LeBron James (2,646).[5] Ford still holds the record for most free throws made in a season (288) and most career free throws (697) in Ohio high school boys' basketball.[4] He was named to the All-Ohio Division II first team following both his junior and senior seasons and was also a two-time All-Eastern District Division II Player of the Year and two-time All-OVAC Class 4-A first team pick.[4] In 2004, Ford was named to the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.[6]

College

[edit]

Ford played at Ohio University as a guard from 1993 to 1997, wearing No. 12.[7] In four seasons with the Bobcats, Ford averaged 14.2 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting.[8] He led the Bobcats in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons, averaging 18.9 points per game in 1995–96 and 18.7 in 1996–97.[9] Ford was named to the All-MAC Second Team in 1996 and the All-MAC First Team in 1997.[9]

Ford scored 1,752 points in college, graduating as the fourth-highest scorer of all time in Ohio Bobcats program history.[9] He currently stands at sixth.[9] Ford started 113 games, breaking the program record at the time (currently fifth), while he also still ranks in the top 10 for three-pointers made and free throws made.[9] Ford currently holds the program record for most free throws made in a single game (19) on February 2, 1997, breaking the old record (17) which had stood for 42 years.[9]

Coaching career

[edit]

Ford began his coaching career in 1998 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater Ohio University, and then promoted to a full-time assistant coaching position the next season, before becoming head coach at Shawnee State University of the NAIA in 2001. After one season at Shawnee State, he was hired as an assistant at Kent State under Jim Christian, where he coached for three seasons. In 2005, Ford was hired as head coach at Muskingum College, now Muskingum University, of the NCAA Division III, where he coached for two seasons before returning to Kent State as an assistant.

Kent State

[edit]

Ford was promoted to head coach at Kent State in 2008 following Christian's departure to TCU, and coached the Golden Flashes for three seasons.[10] At Kent State, Ford led the team to consecutive Mid-American Conference regular season titles in 2010 and 2011, winning MAC Coach of the Year both years.[11][12] His teams at Kent State advanced to the postseason in each of his three seasons, playing in the 2009 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament and the 2010 and 2011 National Invitation Tournaments. He finished with a record of 68–37 at Kent State, including 35–17 in MAC play.

After the 2009–10 season, Kent State reached a five-year extension with Ford that increased his salary to $300,000 per year, making him the highest-paid basketball coach in the MAC.[13]

Bradley

[edit]

Ford left Kent State one year into the extension to become the head coach at Bradley University, where his salary increased to $700,000.

Ford's teams at Bradley never finished above 7th in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), advancing to post-season play in the 2013 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. He was relieved of his duties at the conclusion of an injury-riddled 2014–15 season, where the Braves finished 9–24 overall and 3–15 in the MVC. Ford's record at Bradley was 46–86 overall and 19–53 in MVC play.[14]

Contract breach lawsuit

[edit]

Kent State sued Ford for breach of contract in 2011, claiming that Ford owed Kent State the sum of his salary over the four remaining years, worth $1.2 million, as a buyout agreed to in his contract.[13] Kent State rejected Bradley's offer of a single $400,000 payment and won the lawsuit in 2013, forcing Ford to pay his former employer $1.2 million.[15][16] In 2015, Kent State filed a new lawsuit against Ford and Bradley for tortious interference of contract, indemnification, third-party beneficiary contract, fraudulent transfer and civil conspiracy.[15]

Stony Brook

[edit]

Following a year off as a college basketball analyst for ESPN3, Ford was hired in 2016 as an assistant for Stony Brook under head coach and his former Ohio teammate Jeff Boals.[17] On March 17, 2019, Ford was named the interim head coach of Stony Brook after Boals resigned to accept the head coaching job at Ohio University.[18] Ford's interim tag was removed on March 26, when Stony Brook announced his promotion as the fourth head coach in the school's Division I era.[19] Ford's contract is for five years, running through the 2023–24 season, with the ability to negotiate an extension after the 2021–22 season.[20]

In Ford's first season, Stony Brook won 20 games for the eighth time in the last 11 seasons and finished in second place in the America East, their ninth top-2 finish over that time period.[21] After defeating Albany in the America East quarterfinals, Stony Brook was upset 64–56 at home by Hartford in the semifinals to end their season at 20–13.[22] Ford's second season at head coach saw Stony Brook finish 9–14, the program's worst record in 13 years.[23]

Ford won his 200th game as a head coach on December 14, 2021 against Central Connecticut.[24] In Ford's fourth season, Stony Brook moved from the America East to the Colonial Athletic Association, but the Seawolves suffered multiple season-ending injuries and finished 11–22 to tie for ninth.[25] On February 7, 2024, Ford was extended for two more years through the 2025–26 season.[26] In March 2024, as the seventh seed in the CAA tournament, Stony Brook advanced to face top-seed Charleston in the championship game by upsetting two-seed Drexel, 91–88 (2OT) in the quarterfinals[27] and three-seed Hofstra, 63–58 in the semifinals.[28] Stony Brook led Charleston 40–35 at the half and held Charleston scoreless in the final five minutes of regulation, scoring nine straight points to tie the game at 73 and go into overtime, where the Seawolves ultimately lost 82–79.[29] Stony Brook was the first seven seed to advance to the CAA Finals since East Carolina in 1993.[30]

Head coaching record

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Shawnee State (American Mideast Conference) (2001–02)
2001–02 Shawnee State 22–10 13–5 3rd
Shawnee State: 22–10 (.688) 13–5 (.722)
Muskingum (Ohio Athletic Conference) (2005–07)
2005–06 Muskingum 17–9 12–6 3rd
2006–07 Muskingum 12–13 6–12 8th
Muskingum: 29–22 (.569) 18–18 (.500)
Kent State (Mid-American Conference) (2008–2011)
2008–09 Kent State 19–15 10–6 T–3rd (East) CIT First Round
2009–10 Kent State 24–10 13–3 1st (East) NIT Second Round
2010–11 Kent State 25–12 12–4 1st (East) NIT Quarterfinals
Kent State: 68–37 (.648) 35–13 (.729)
Bradley (Missouri Valley Conference) (2011–2015)
2011–12 Bradley 7–25 2–16 10th
2012–13 Bradley 18–17 7–11 T–7th CIT Quarterfinals
2013–14 Bradley 12–20 7–11 7th
2014–15 Bradley 9–24 3–15 10th
Bradley: 46–86 (.348) 19–53 (.264)
Stony Brook (America East) (2019–present)
2018–19 Stony Brook 0–1* CBI First Round*
2019–20 Stony Brook 20–13 10–6 2nd
2020–21 Stony Brook 9–14 7–9 7th
2021–22 Stony Brook 18–13 10–8 3rd
Stony Brook (Coastal Athletic Association) (2022–present)
2022–23 Stony Brook 11–22 6–12 T–9th
2023–24 Stony Brook 20–15 10–8 T–6th
2024–25 Stony Brook 8–24 4–14 13th
2025–26 Stony Brook 14–10 6–5
Stony Brook: 100–111 (.474) 53–62 (.461)
Total: 265–266 (.499)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

*Ford was named interim head coach on March 17, 2019, after Boals took the head coaching job at Ohio. In addition, Ford holds a 5–5 postseason record as a Division I head coach (3–2 NIT, 0–1 CBI, 2–2 CIT).

Personal life

[edit]

Ford is married to his wife, Traci. He has two sons: Darin and David. His son, Darin, is the head coach at Nordonia High School in Ohio. Meanwhile, his younger son, David, served as director of player development under Ford at Stony Brook during the 2021–22 and 2022-2023 seasons.[31] Ford's brother, Dustin, is the associate head coach at Akron and also played for Ohio from 1998 to 2001.[32]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Geno Ford

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Geno Ford (born October 11, 1974) is an American college basketball coach and former player, currently serving as head coach of the men's basketball team in his seventh season during 2025-26. Ford began his basketball career as a standout high school player at Cambridge High School in , where he scored 2,680 career points—ranking fourth in history—and 697 free throws made, second in state history, earning him the award in 1993. At from 1993 to 1997, he started 113 of 123 games, amassed 1,752 points (sixth in school history) at 14.2 points per game, and led the Bobcats in scoring during his junior and senior seasons with averages of 18.9 and 18.7 points, respectively, while earning First-Team All-MAC and Academic All-Conference honors in 1997. Following college, Ford played one professional season with the in the . Ford transitioned to coaching as an assistant at Ohio University and Kent State University before becoming a head coach, starting with stints at Shawnee State and Muskingum College. He led Kent State from 2008 to 2011, compiling a 68-37 record (.648 winning percentage), securing back-to-back Mid-American Conference regular-season titles in 2009-10 and 2010-11, and earning MAC Coach of the Year honors both years. At Bradley University from 2011 to 2015, Ford posted a 46-86 record (.348), notably improving the team from 7-25 to 18-17 in his second season and coaching guard Walt Lemon Jr. to a rare 2,000-point and 500-assist milestone. Returning to Stony Brook as associate head coach from 2016 to 2019, he helped the team average 71.6 points per game in 2018-19 before taking over as head coach in 2019, where he has achieved a 89-102 record (.466) as of November 2025, including 20-win seasons in 2019-20 (20-13) and 2023-24 (20-15), a Coastal Athletic Association Championship Game appearance in 2024, and school records for three-pointers made (277 in 2023-24 and 274 in 2019-20). Overall, Ford holds a 203-225 career head coaching record (.474) across 14 seasons at NCAA Division I programs as of November 2025. Ford's accomplishments include induction into the Hall of Fame in 2004, the Ohio University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. He earned a in from in 1997 and a in athletic administration from Ohio in 2003.

Playing career

High school

Geno Ford was born on October 11, 1974, in Dover, , and raised in the nearby area. Ford attended Cambridge High School, playing basketball for his father, longtime Gene Ford, and graduating in 1993. A standout guard despite standing just 5-foot-8, Ford established himself as one of 's premier high school talents, leading the Bobcats in scoring throughout his career. Over four seasons from 1989 to 1993, he tallied 2,680 career points, a total that ranks fourth all-time among Ohio high school boys' players. As a senior in the 1992–93 season, Ford averaged 35.9 points per game, capping a dominant performance that earned him the prestigious award from the . His scoring prowess also set multiple state records, including second-most career free throws made (697) and second-most in a single season (288 during 1991–92). Following high school, Ford transitioned to a successful college playing career at .

College

Geno Ford enrolled at in 1993, following his selection as in high school, and played as a guard for the team from 1993 to 1997. Over his four-year career, he appeared in 123 games, starting 113 of them, and averaged 14.2 points per game while shooting 79.6 percent from the free-throw line and 36.8 percent from three-point range. Ford tallied 1,752 career points, a total that ranks sixth in history. As a junior and senior, Ford emerged as the Bobcats' leading scorer, averaging 18.9 in the 1995–96 season and 18.7 in the 1996–97 season. His scoring prowess helped anchor the team's offense during those campaigns, contributing significantly to their (MAC) play. Ford earned All-MAC Second Team honors as a junior and All-MAC First Team honors as a senior, in addition to being named to the 1993–94 MAC All-Freshman Team. He graduated from in 1997 with a in .

Professional

Following his collegiate career at , where his scoring leadership earned him a professional contract, Geno Ford signed with the of the (BBL) for the 1997–1998 season. As a guard, Ford served as a key offensive contributor for the Riders, a team that finished ninth in the league with a 15–21 record. He averaged approximately 18 , leading the team in scoring while shooting 49 percent from three-point range and 91 percent from the free-throw line. Ford's standout performances highlighted his impact during the season, including a career-high 38 points in a crucial March 1998 matchup against the Worthing Bears, where he scored the game's final eight points—including four free throws in the last 34 seconds—to secure a 92–90 victory that kept in contention for a playoff spot. His clutch play and shooting efficiency were instrumental in several tight games as the Riders vied for a quarter-final berth in a three-way race with Derby Storm and Chester Jets. After completing his lone professional season abroad, Ford returned to the in 1998 to embark on a coaching career, beginning as a at his , .

Coaching career

Assistant coaching positions

Ford began his coaching career at his alma mater, , serving as a in the 1998–99 season before being promoted to full-time assistant coach for the 1999–2001 seasons under head coach Larry Hunter. In this role, Ford focused on player development and game preparation, contributing to the Bobcats' efforts in the (MAC). His familiarity with the program from his playing days at facilitated his transition into coaching responsibilities such as scouting opponents and assisting with recruiting. Following his time at Ohio, Ford joined as an assistant coach from 2002 to 2005 and again in the 2007–08 season, both under Jim Christian. During these stints, he played a key role in recruiting and player development, helping the Golden Flashes achieve a 87–39 record (.690 winning percentage) and secure four postseason appearances, including multiple MAC East Division titles. Ford's contributions extended to game planning and offensive strategies, supporting the team's consistent success in the MAC. After a period from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2011 to 2016 during which Ford served as a (see Shawnee State, Muskingum College, Kent State, and Bradley sections), he returned to assistant coaching at from 2016 to 2019 under , a former college teammate. Promoted to associate head coach in his tenure, Ford emphasized offensive development and recruiting, aiding in building the program's foundation with improved scoring outputs and competitive performances leading to his eventual promotion. His work focused on player skill enhancement and strategic preparation, positioning Stony Brook for sustained growth.

Shawnee State

Geno Ford began his head coaching career at , an NAIA institution in , during the 2001–2002 season, following his tenure as an assistant coach at . In his inaugural year leading the Bears, Ford guided the team to a 22–10 overall record, marking a school-record 22 victories and a 10-win improvement from the prior season. The squad finished second in the American Mideast Conference (AMC) standings and advanced to the conference tournament championship game. Ford's leadership earned him recognition as the AMC Coach of the Year, highlighting his immediate impact on the program. Under his direction, the team developed key players who received significant accolades, including forward Andre Horton, who was named NAIA First Team All-American, AMC Player of the Year, and First Team All-AMC. Guard Antwain Lavender also contributed notably, earning Second Team All-AMC honors. These achievements underscored Ford's ability to foster talent and build a competitive roster in his first head role.

Muskingum College

Geno Ford was hired as of the Muskingum College men's team in 2005, marking his second head coaching position at the level following a successful one-year stint at NAIA's . During his two seasons at Muskingum, Ford compiled an overall record of 29–22 (.569), including a 17–9 mark in 2005–06 that represented the program's best performance in 15 years and a 12–13 finish in 2006–07. The team also went 18–18 in (OAC) play across both years, with a third-place finish in Ford's debut season. Ford emphasized program building through targeted recruiting, particularly of regional talent from high schools, which contributed to the development of four All-OAC selections, two All-Region honorees, and a pair of Academic All-Americans during his tenure. These efforts helped elevate team competitiveness, fostering improved discipline, offensive efficiency, and overall depth in a program that had struggled prior to his arrival. Ford's time at Muskingum concluded after the 2006–07 season when he departed to rejoin as an assistant coach, pursuing opportunities at the Division I level.

Kent State

Geno Ford served as of the men's basketball team from 2008 to 2011. Having previously worked as an assistant coach at Kent State from 2002 to 2005, Ford brought familiarity with the program upon his promotion. Over three seasons, he compiled an overall record of 68–37, including a 35–13 mark in (MAC) play. This success included winning two consecutive MAC East Division titles in 2010 and 2011. Ford's tenure featured two standout seasons that elevated the Golden Flashes to conference prominence. In the 2009–10 season, Kent State finished 24–10 overall and 13–3 in the MAC, securing the regular season championship and the East Division title. The following year, 2010–11, the team went 25–12 overall and 12–4 in conference play, again claiming the East Division crown and co-winning the MAC regular season title while advancing to the NIT quarterfinals. These achievements marked a period of sustained excellence, with the Golden Flashes posting winning records each year and reaching the MAC Tournament semifinals or better in all three seasons. Ford excelled in player development and recruiting, fostering a roster that emphasized versatile guards and forwards. Standout player Justin Greene, a forward under Ford's guidance, earned MAC Player of the Year honors in both 2010 and 2011, averaging double-doubles and leading the team in scoring and rebounding during those championship seasons. Ford's 2010 and 2011 recruiting classes brought in promising talents like guard Randal Holt and forward Michael Porrini, who contributed significantly to the team's postseason runs and provided a strong foundation for future success. His efforts in talent acquisition were recognized with MAC Coach of the Year awards in 2010 and 2011. After the 2010–11 season, Ford departed Kent State to become at .

Bradley

Geno Ford was hired as of the team in March 2011, following his successful tenure at where he led the Golden Flashes to multiple winning seasons in the . Ford's four-year stint at Bradley, from 2011 to 2015, was marked by an overall record of 46–86 (.349), including a 19–53 mark in play. The team struggled to find consistent success in the competitive MVC, with Ford inheriting a program that had finished 12–20 the prior season. Early efforts focused on rebuilding through recruiting, as Ford secured his first commit in Jalen Crawford, a 6-foot-2 from , in April 2011. By 2014, the Braves landed an ESPN top-100 recruit, emphasizing efforts to build team chemistry and inject talent into the roster amid frontcourt challenges and returning players from transfer sit-outs. The 2012–13 season represented a high point, with Bradley improving to 18–17 overall (7–11 MVC) and advancing to the quarterfinals of the (CIT), where they defeated Northern Iowa before falling to East Carolina. However, performance declined thereafter, culminating in a low of 9–24 (3–15 MVC) during the 2014–15 season, which contributed to ongoing challenges in team cohesion and competitive results. Ford was fired by Bradley on March 22, 2015, shortly after the season's end, amid the program's struggles. His tenure was further complicated by a lingering breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by in 2011, stemming from Ford's departure to Bradley without permission under his remaining contract term through 2015. initially sued both Ford for breach and Bradley for , seeking $1.2 million in damages equivalent to four years of Ford's $300,000 annual . In July 2013, an judge ruled in 's favor against Ford, awarding the full $1.2 million, while the claim against Bradley was dropped in September 2013 as part of a settlement resolving the interference allegations without financial payment from the university. An appeals court upheld the judgment against Ford in January 2015, just months before his firing. The unresolved $1.2 million debt to Kent State, combined with the firing, led to a career gap for Ford from 2015 to 2016, during which he stepped away from head coaching amid the financial and professional repercussions.

Stony Brook

Geno Ford was promoted to head coach of the Stony Brook Seawolves men's basketball team on March 26, 2019, following three seasons as associate head coach from 2016 to 2019 under Jeff Boals. This internal promotion marked Ford's return to a head coaching role after his tenure at Bradley University, allowing him to build on his prior familiarity with the program. In his first six seasons leading Stony Brook through the 2024–25 campaign, Ford compiled a cumulative record of 86–101, guiding the team through its transition from the to the (CAA) starting in the 2022–23 season. The move to the CAA represented a strategic elevation for the program, aligning with Stony Brook's aspirations for increased competition and visibility in a stronger conference. Ford focused on program building by emphasizing recruiting efforts that blended high school prospects with transfers, fostering a roster capable of adapting to the CAA's competitive demands. A highlight of Ford's tenure came in the 2023–24 season, when the seventh-seeded Seawolves made a historic run to the CAA Tournament finals—the program's first appearance there—defeating higher seeds including second-seeded Campbell before falling to top-seeded Charleston in overtime. This achievement underscored Ford's emphasis on resilient play and offensive execution, with Stony Brook setting a tournament record for combined three-pointers in the championship game. However, the 2024–25 season proved challenging, finishing with an 8–24 overall record (4–14 in CAA play) and a 13th-place conference standing, described by observers as a "nightmare" due to injuries, graduations, and roster turnover. In response to the difficult year, Ford heavily utilized the transfer portal to rebuild for the 2025–26 season, aiming to restore depth and scoring while entering his seventh year with the program. As of November 18, 2025, Stony Brook stands at 3–1 overall (0–0 CAA) in the ongoing season. His commitment was affirmed by a extension announced on February 7, 2024, securing his position through the 2025–26 campaign and signaling institutional support for his long-term vision.

Coaching record and honors

Head coaching record

Geno Ford has compiled an overall head coaching record of 254–257 (.497) through the incomplete 2025–26 season (as of November 18, 2025). His tenures span NAIA, NCAA Division III, and Division I levels, with notable success in conference play at Kent State (35–13 in the Mid-American Conference) and postseason appearances including NCAA Tournament, NIT, CIT, and CBI berths. Ford's teams have reached six NCAA Division I postseason tournaments and two conference regular-season titles during his Division I career. The following table summarizes Ford's season-by-season head coaching records, including overall and conference wins/losses where available, winning percentages, and postseason results.
SeasonSchoolOverall (Pct.)Conference (Pct.)Postseason Result
2001–02Shawnee State (NAIA)22–10 (.688)12–2 AMC (.857)AMC Tournament semifinal
2005–06Muskingum (DIII)17–9 (.654)10–6 OAC (.625)OAC Tournament quarterfinal
2006–07Muskingum (DIII)12–13 (.480)6–12 OAC (.333)OAC Tournament first round
2008–09Kent State (DI)19–15 (.559)10–6 MAC (.625)NIT second round (1–1)
2009–10Kent State (DI)24–10 (.706)13–3 MAC (.813)NCAA Tournament first round (0–1); MAC Tournament champion
2010–11Kent State (DI)25–12 (.676)12–4 MAC (.750)CIT champion (5–0); MAC Tournament runner-up
2011–12Bradley (DI)7–25 (.219)3–15 MVC (.167)No postseason
2012–13Bradley (DI)18–17 (.514)7–11 MVC (.389)CIT first round (0–1)
2013–14Bradley (DI)12–20 (.375)6–12 MVC (.333)No postseason
2014–15Bradley (DI)9–24 (.273)3–15 MVC (.167)No postseason
2019–20Stony Brook (DI)20–13 (.606)10–6 AE (.625)America East Tournament semifinal
2020–21Stony Brook (DI)9–14 (.391)6–8 AE (.429)No postseason (COVID-19)
2021–22Stony Brook (DI)18–13 (.581)10–8 AE (.556)CIT first round (0–1)
2022–23Stony Brook (DI)11–22 (.333)5–13 CAA (.278)No postseason
2023–24Stony Brook (DI)20–15 (.571)10–8 CAA (.556)CBI quarterfinal (2–1)
2024–25Stony Brook (DI)8–24 (.250)4–14 CAA (.222)No postseason
2025–26Stony Brook (DI)3–1 (.750)0–0 CAA (.000)In progress (as of November 18, 2025)
Ford's conference records across all tenures total 127–143 (.470), with his strongest performance in the MAC (35–13, .729) and weakest in the MVC (19–53, .264). Postseason play highlights include a 5–0 CIT championship run in 2010–11 at Kent State and a 2–1 CBI showing in 2023–24 at Stony Brook, contributing to an overall 8–4 postseason record in Division I.

Awards and honors

During his tenure as head coach at , Ford was named the American Mideast Conference Coach of the Year in 2001–02 after leading the Bears to a school-record 22 wins and an appearance in the NAIA Division II national . At Kent State, he earned the (MAC) Coach of the Year award in both 2010 and 2011, recognizing his leadership in guiding the Golden Flashes to regular-season conference championships and NCAA berths in those seasons. Additionally, Ford received the National Association of Coaches (NABC) District 14 Coach of the Year honor in 2009 for his efforts in achieving a 19–15 record and an NIT appearance during the 2008–09 season at Kent State. Ford's contributions to basketball were further acknowledged with his induction into the Ohio University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008, primarily honoring his standout playing career where he amassed 1,752 points and earned All-MAC honors. In 2023, he was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame as part of a class recognizing his overall impact as both a player and coach, including his high school scoring records, collegiate achievements, and successful head coaching stints across multiple programs.

Personal life

Family

Geno Ford is married to Traci Ford. The couple has two sons, Darin and . Darin Ford serves as the of the boys' team at Nordonia High School in . David Ford previously worked as director of player development on the men's staff.

Professional relatives

Geno Ford's younger brother, Dustin Ford, has established a notable career in coaching, currently serving as the associate head coach for the men's team, a position he has held since 2017. Dustin previously worked as an assistant coach at and the University of Illinois, accumulating over two decades of experience at the Division I level. Ford's eldest son, Darin Ford, has pursued a path in at the high school level, recently appointed as the head boys' coach at Nordonia High School in , in July 2024. Prior to this role, Darin served as an assistant coach at Westlake High School in for two seasons (2022–24), head coach at Mosley High School in for the 2021–22 season, and head coach at in New York from 2017 to 2019; he also served as a graduate assistant with under his father in 2019–2020. His younger son, David Ford, has experience in operations, having worked as the director of player development and operations at during his father's tenure there. In 2025, David transitioned to a full-time role as an on-court player development coach and operations director for a program. The Ford family's involvement in basketball coaching spans generations, with Geno's father, Gene Ford, having been a longtime high school head coach in who assisted Geno at Muskingum College until his death on June 28, 2019, fostering a shared emphasis on player development and competitive preparation across their careers. This collective background has contributed to a network of professional insights among the relatives, influencing their approaches to and strategy without overlapping into personal narratives.

References

  1. https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/2023/geno-ford.html
  2. https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/geno-ford/1043
  3. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/geno-ford-1.html
  4. https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2023/6/8/mens-basketball-head-coach-geno-ford-inducted-into-ohio-basketball-hall-of-fame
  5. https://kentstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/geno-ford/5626
  6. https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/geno-ford/920
  7. https://www.ohsaa.org/sports/records/bbkrecrd.htm
  8. https://ohiobobcats.com/honors/hall-of-fame/geno-ford/52
  9. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/geno-ford-1.html
  10. https://kentstatesports.com/news/2010/7/28/7_28_2010_4744
  11. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/basketball-ford-the-driving-force-behind-leicester-s-play-off-push-1151909.html
  12. https://getsomemaction.com/news/2008/4/2/MBB_131297.aspx?path=mbball
  13. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/kent-state/men/2008.html
  14. https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2016/06/03/ex-bradley-coach-geno-ford/28224742007/
  15. https://www.ussportscamps.com/coaches/geno-ford
  16. https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/stony-brook/geno-ford-basketball-coach-k29839
  17. https://hoopdirt.com/geno-ford-joins-stony-brook-staff/
  18. https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1471&context=botmeetings
  19. https://kentstatesports.com/news/2005/4/5/4_5_2005_3299
  20. https://www.d3hoops.com/teams/Muskingum/Men/2006-07/index
  21. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/kent-state/men/2010.html
  22. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/kent-state/men/2011.html
  23. https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2011/03/kent_state_coach_geno_ford_big.html
  24. https://bradleybraves.com/news/2011/3/28/205124433.aspx
  25. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12539702/bradley-braves-fire-geno-ford-head-coach
  26. https://hoopdirt.com/breaking-bradley-to-name-ford-as-head-coach/
  27. https://bradleybraves.com/news/2011/4/22/205141494.aspx
  28. https://www.bradleyscout.com/uncategorized/braves-land-espn-top-100-recruit/
  29. https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/2012/11/08/boarders-bradley-frontcourt/42362256007/
  30. https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2015/03/22/bradley-fires-men-s-basketball/34932966007/
  31. https://www.si.com/college/2015/03/22/bradley-braves-geno-ford-fired
  32. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/kent-state-wins-12-million-lawsuit-against-former-coach-geno-ford/
  33. https://www.record-courier.com/article/20130726/news/307269388
  34. https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2013/07/16/kent-st-wins-1-2m/41972890007/
  35. https://www.bradleyscout.com/uncategorized/reports-braves-fire-head-coach-geno-ford/
  36. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12166057/court-upholds-12-million-contract-ruling-ex-kent-state-golden-flashes-coach-geno-ford
  37. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/07/16/kent-st-wins-12-million-judgment-against-ex-coach/2522345/
  38. https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2015/01/13/geno-ford-loses-appeal-in/35529812007/
  39. https://news.stonybrook.edu/homespotlight/geno-ford-named-head-coach-of-stony-brook-mens-basketball/
  40. https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2016/6/3/Boals_adds_Geno_Ford_to_coaching_staff.aspx
  41. https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2022/1/25/general-stony-brook-university-accepts-invitation-to-join-colonial-athletic-association.aspx
  42. https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/stony-brook-university-accepts-invitation-to-join-colonial-athletic-association/
  43. https://www.flohoops.com/articles/14610007-3-things-to-know-about-stony-brook-mens-basketball-in-2025-26
  44. https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2024/3/12/mens-basketball-mens-basketball-ends-impressive-run-in-caa-final-falls-to-charleston-in-overtime.aspx
  45. https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2024/3/12/mens-basketball-mens-basketball-surges-down-the-stretch-advances-to-programs-first-caa-final.aspx
  46. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/stony-brook/men/2025.html
  47. https://sbstatesman.com/139840/sports/after-a-nightmare-season-geno-ford-is-giving-the-transfer-portal-another-try/
  48. https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2025-26
  49. https://hoopdirt.com/stony-brook-announces-contract-extension-for-head-basketball-coach-geno-ford/
  50. https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Dj8_cOal7/
  51. https://getsomemaction.com/news/2010/3/8/MBB_131532.aspx?path=mbball
  52. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2024/07/03/ohio-high-school-sports-nordonia-hires-darin-ford-to-coach-boys-basketball-team-gene-ford-geno-ford/74276576007/
  53. https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/david-ford/1171
  54. https://gozips.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/dustin-ford/1242
  55. https://www.mypanhandle.com/sports/local-sports/mosley-parts-ways-with-head-basketball-coach-darin-ford/
  56. https://www.newsherald.com/story/sports/2021/08/04/mosley-hires-basketball-junkie-darin-ford-new-boys-basketball-coach/5483576001/
  57. https://www.facebook.com/100086331519220/posts/join-us-in-welcoming-david-ford-to-our-full-time-staff-in-northeast-ohio-he-will/716721447882233/
  58. https://oh.nhsbca.org/hall-of-fame/gene_ford
  59. https://www.muskingum.edu/news/07-1-19/muskingum-mourns-passing-gene-ford-74
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