The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Basketball
Dustin Ford
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- dford@uakron.edu
- Phone:
- (330) 972-7781
Dustin Ford was named the 23rd head coach in Akron men’s basketball history on March 30, 2026, ascending to the program’s top position after nine distinguished seasons as Associate Head Coach. Ford inherits a program he helped build into one of the most dominant forces in the Mid-American Conference, and now leads it into its next chapter of ambition.
During his tenure on the Akron bench, Ford was instrumental in the Zips’ remarkable run of sustained success, which included six MAC championships, three consecutive MAC Tournament titles, and four NCAA postseason appearances over the last five seasons. Ford played a central role in the offensive and defensive development of standout frontcourt players Enrique Freeman and Amani Lyles, further cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s premier player developers.
As Defensive Coordinator, Ford oversaw a Zips defense that ranked among the top four in the MAC in Defensive Efficiency Rating in each of the last eight seasons — a remarkable testament to his system’s consistency and adaptability.
The Zips were at their best during the 2025-26 season, setting program records across virtually every meaningful category, including total wins (29), regular season wins (26), consecutive home wins at James A. Rhodes Arena (31), total points (3,075), field goals made (1,115), field goal percentage (.501), scoring average (87.9 points per game), and total assists (639). Over the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons combined, Akron went 34-2 in MAC play.
Prior to his time at Akron, Ford spent five seasons as an assistant at Illinois under head coach John Groce, helping the Fighting Illini compile a 95-75 record with four postseason appearances, including an NCAA Tournament berth in 2013. Before that, he served four seasons at Ohio alongside Groce, where the Bobcats went 85-56, claimed two MAC championships, and made two NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a memorable run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2012.
Ford’s coaching career began at Western Carolina (2006-08), where he served as an assistant and recruiting coordinator on Larry Hunter’s staff before being elevated to Associate Head Coach. His recruiting acumen yielded multiple SoCon award winners, including Defensive Players of the Year Brigham Waginger (2010) and Richie Gordon (2011), and Freshman of the Year Harouna Mutombo (2009).
Before entering the coaching ranks, Ford served four seasons as the head varsity coach at Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio. A former standout at Ohio University, he started all four years from 1998 to 2001, ranking seventh in program history with 166 career three-pointers and eighth with 310 career assists.
“Dustin Ford is the right leader to guide Akron men’s basketball into its next chapter. He has been a key part of our sustained success and brings the integrity, leadership and competitive mindset that define this program.”
• R.J. NEMER, UNIVERSITY OF AKRON PRESIDENT
“We are thrilled to announce Dustin Ford as the next head men’s basketball coach at the University of Akron. Dustin is highly respected by his peers and our student-athletes. His passion for developing young men both on and off the court is exactly what we need to continue the success of Akron basketball. We have complete confidence he is the right leader to guide our program into the future.”
• ANDREW T. GOODRICH, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
“I’m extremely excited for this opportunity to lead the Akron men’s basketball program. This is a program with a rich tradition, and I’m honored to help continue moving it forward. We’ve built something special here in Akron, and I look forward to working with our players, staff and the community to build on our success.”
During his tenure on the Akron bench, Ford was instrumental in the Zips’ remarkable run of sustained success, which included six MAC championships, three consecutive MAC Tournament titles, and four NCAA postseason appearances over the last five seasons. Ford played a central role in the offensive and defensive development of standout frontcourt players Enrique Freeman and Amani Lyles, further cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s premier player developers.
As Defensive Coordinator, Ford oversaw a Zips defense that ranked among the top four in the MAC in Defensive Efficiency Rating in each of the last eight seasons — a remarkable testament to his system’s consistency and adaptability.
The Zips were at their best during the 2025-26 season, setting program records across virtually every meaningful category, including total wins (29), regular season wins (26), consecutive home wins at James A. Rhodes Arena (31), total points (3,075), field goals made (1,115), field goal percentage (.501), scoring average (87.9 points per game), and total assists (639). Over the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons combined, Akron went 34-2 in MAC play.
Prior to his time at Akron, Ford spent five seasons as an assistant at Illinois under head coach John Groce, helping the Fighting Illini compile a 95-75 record with four postseason appearances, including an NCAA Tournament berth in 2013. Before that, he served four seasons at Ohio alongside Groce, where the Bobcats went 85-56, claimed two MAC championships, and made two NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a memorable run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2012.
Ford’s coaching career began at Western Carolina (2006-08), where he served as an assistant and recruiting coordinator on Larry Hunter’s staff before being elevated to Associate Head Coach. His recruiting acumen yielded multiple SoCon award winners, including Defensive Players of the Year Brigham Waginger (2010) and Richie Gordon (2011), and Freshman of the Year Harouna Mutombo (2009).
Before entering the coaching ranks, Ford served four seasons as the head varsity coach at Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio. A former standout at Ohio University, he started all four years from 1998 to 2001, ranking seventh in program history with 166 career three-pointers and eighth with 310 career assists.
“Dustin Ford is the right leader to guide Akron men’s basketball into its next chapter. He has been a key part of our sustained success and brings the integrity, leadership and competitive mindset that define this program.”
• R.J. NEMER, UNIVERSITY OF AKRON PRESIDENT
“We are thrilled to announce Dustin Ford as the next head men’s basketball coach at the University of Akron. Dustin is highly respected by his peers and our student-athletes. His passion for developing young men both on and off the court is exactly what we need to continue the success of Akron basketball. We have complete confidence he is the right leader to guide our program into the future.”
• ANDREW T. GOODRICH, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
“I’m extremely excited for this opportunity to lead the Akron men’s basketball program. This is a program with a rich tradition, and I’m honored to help continue moving it forward. We’ve built something special here in Akron, and I look forward to working with our players, staff and the community to build on our success.”
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
