Dustin Ford - Men's Basketball Coach - University of Akron Athletics

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 Monday, March 30, pending approval by the University's board of trustees.

Ford served as the Associate Head Coach on former head coach John Groce's staff at Akron for the last nine seasons. He played a pivotal role in Akron's six Mid-American Conference championships, including three consecutive MAC Tournament titles and four NCAA postseason appearances in the last five seasons. He now takes over the program as it looks to build on its historic success in the MAC.

"Dustin Ford is the right leader to guide Akron men's basketball into its next chapter," University of Akron President R.J. Nemer said. "He has been a key part of our sustained success and brings the integrity, leadership and competitive mindset that define this program."

"I'm extremely excited for this opportunity to lead the Akron men's basketball program," said Ford. "This is a program with a rich tradition, and I'm honored to be the one to help continue to move 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 nine-year tenure at Akron, Ford helped develop the Zips into one of the MAC's most consistent contenders, while developing frontcourt players Enirque Freeman and Amani Lyles. He has also made significant coaching contributions at Illinois and Ohio during his career.

During his nine-year tenure at Akron, Ford helped develop the Zips into one of the MAC's most consistent contenders, while developing frontcourt players Enirque Freeman and Amani Lyles. He has also made significant coaching contributions at Illinois and Ohio during his career.

Ford helped shape the Zips into one of the premier programs in the nation the past two seasons. The Zips went 34-2 in conference play between 2024-25 and 2025-26. Akron set new program records during the 2025-26 season, setting a program record for total wins (29), wins in the regular season (26), consecutive wins at James A. Rhodes Arena (31), total points (3075), FG made (1115), FG pct (.501), scoring average (87.9) and total assists (639).

"We are thrilled to announce Dustin Ford as the next head men's basketball coach at the University of Akron," Director of Athletics, Andrew T. Goodrich, said. "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."

"We will build a team that is connected and competes with a level of toughness our fans have come to expect," Ford said. "Our staff will be committed to developing our student-athletes every day they are at the University of Akron. I'm excited to build on what we've already accomplished and take it to another level. See you in the JAR!"

Ford spent five years as an assistant at Illinois and four seasons at Ohio under Groce. At Illinois, Ford helped lead the Fighting Illini to a 95-75 overall record with four postseason appearances, including a berth to the NCAA Tournament in 2013. At Ohio, the coaching duo led the Bobcats to an 85-56 overall record from 2008 to 2012. During that span, Ohio won two Mid-American Conference championships with two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2012.

Prior to arriving in Athens, Ford served three years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on Larry Hunter's staff at Western Carolina (2006-08). He was promoted to associate head coach in the spring of 2008. During his tenure at Western Carolina, he was responsible for recruiting two eventual Southern Conference Defensive Players of the Year in Brigham Waginger (2010) and Richie Gordon (2011) as well as SoCon Freshman of the Year Harouna Mutombo (2009).

Ford began his coaching career as the head varsity coach at Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio, spanning four seasons (2002-05). Before entering the coaching profession, Ford was a standout player at Ohio, starting all four years (1998-01). He led the Bobcats in 3-point field goals as a junior and senior. Ford's 166 career 3-pointers and 310 career assists currently rank seventh and eighth, respectively, in the Bobcats’ program history.

“Dustin is very talented in all areas,” Groce said. “We have been together for almost a decade now, and with that comes an understanding of what it takes to be successful and the processes that are involved for us to move our program forward. He not only has great familiarity with Akron, but with the MAC in general having played and coached in the conference previously. In addition Dustin grew up in the state and has established deep relationships throughout Ohio that will be beneficial to our program.”