What They're Saying About Travis Ford

Here’s what major college coaches and others are saying about newly hired Oklahoma State basketball coach Travis Ford.

These quotes taken from the University of Massachusetts 2007-08 men’s basketball media guide about Travis Ford.

“Travis Ford is one of the brightest players I coached in 30 years. He was a true coach on the floor. He did a tremendous job in taking a program that had not consistently won and improved it each year he was there. He got his team to the NCAA Tournament in the 2004 season and played one of the giants in college basketball to the wire (Kentucky).”
Rick Pitino, head coach, Louisville

“I enjoyed coaching Travis during his three years at Kentucky. We developed a very close relationship and Travis is somebody that has grown and evolved into an outstanding coach.”
Billy Donovan, head coach, Florida

“Travis is an outstanding young coach who knows what it takes to win basketball games. His teams mirror him in that they are hard-nosed and competitive. As a player, he always looked for ways to improve his game. As a coach, he’s been tireless in his approach to making his teams better. I have a lot of respect for Travis.”
Tubby Smith, head coach, Minnesota

“Travis is full of energy, enthusiasm and has learned from one of the best in playing for Rick Pitino at Kentucky.”
Dick Vitale, ESPN

“Travis has a lot of energy. I like the way he does a lot of different things. He is a solid performer, what he has done as a player, he is now doing as a coach.”
Digger Phelps, ESPN

“Coach Pitino thinks Travis Ford can be another Billy Donovan, and he has proven to be prophetic. He took Eastern Kentucky to the NCAA Tournament and has shown that he is cut from the same cloth at Billy.”
Andy Katz, ESPN

“Travis Ford is a winner. He always has been, he always will be. He has great passion and integrity and is someone that everyone … can be proud of.”
John Pelphrey, head coach, Arkansas

“Travis did an impressive job of growing the Eastern Kentucky program and I respect what he has done there. Obviously, he is a good recruiter, but he was able to adopt and develop a style with that talent that best fit his program at Eastern Kentucky. I really admired the way they improved defensively. That definitely stood out.”
Dave Loos, head coach, Austin Peay