Ford now in driver’s seat at Kent

The longtime assistant replaced Jim Christian.

KENT (AP) — Geno Ford slid over and into Kent State’s top chair.

Ford, an assistant coach during a chunk of the school’s 10-year run of 20-win seasons, was named the Golden Flashes’ new coach Tuesday. He takes over for Jim Christian, who resigned last week after six seasons and is heading to TCU.

The 33-year-old Ford signed a four-year contract with the school holding an option on a fifth year. He’ll make approximately $200,000 per season.

A scrappy guard at Ohio, Ford was an assistant for four seasons on Christian’s staff. He inherits a program that has become the standard of excellence in the Mid-American Conference. This season, Kent State went 28-7 and won the MAC East’s regular season title and the conference tournament to earn its fifth NCAA bid in 10 years.

Christian went 138-58 at Kent State, becoming the only MAC coach to win 20 games in his first six seasons.

Like Ford, he was as assistant with the Golden Flashes before getting the job when Stan Heath left for Arkansas following Kent State’s run to the Elite Eight in the 2002 NCAA tournament.

“A lot of times when you get a job, you take a job that is rebuilding or someone has been relieved of their duties and you have to clean up the mess,” Ford said. “I’m following someone who cast the biggest shadow over the conference in history. Coach Christian taught me a lot. I certainly tried to learn. I’m honored to get the chance to follow him.”

When it appeared Christian was leaving, athletic director Laing Kennedy immediately turned to Ford, who had head coaching experience at NAIA Shawnee State and Division III Muskingum.

Kennedy said Ford, who had been scheduled to interview with Western Illinois, was unanimously endorsed by Kent State’s players, who said Christian often turned to his top assistant for advice during crucial moments in games.

Ford, who complied a 51-32 record as a head coach, conceded feeling some pressure before being given the job.

“It felt the same as winning a game — utter relief,” he said. “I’m excited today. Yesterday I felt like I was at the foul line, shooting a 1-and-1 and had to make it or we were losing.”