JimBob
04-20-2008, 10:47 AM
Question and answer: Oklahoma State's Travis Ford
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
4/20/2008
Last Modified: 4/20/2008 3:36 AM
Following are questions and answers regarding the Oklahoma State coaching search that resulted in the hiring of Travis Ford:
Question:
Was it risky for OSU athletic director Mike Holder to hire a basketball coach who has never won an NCAA Tournament game?
Answer:
Holder said every hire is risky because you never know what's going to happen. But he has faith that the guy he hired has the intangibles to get the job done. "I just love passion," Holder said. "You just feel that he loves what he's doing. If you work hard and you love what you are doing, you've got a great chance to be successful."
Question:
What was the reaction after Ford's introductory press conference?
Answer:
"It's euphoric right now," Holder said. "We haven't played a game. We haven't kept score. Things will change. But we've got a nice honeymoon here (and) I think he'll win over a lot of people."
Question:
Ford's three previous coaching stops were rebuilding jobs. How will he fare with a program that has made postseason trips 17 times in the last 18 years?
Answer:
"When you take over a program where things aren't going exactly right for whatever reason, it's different," Ford said. "I do have a lot of experience in that. Things here, the Sutton family put an incredible foundation here. I want to try to build on that. Coach (Eddie) Sutton (and) Sean, I know these guys extremely well. They have worked extremely hard for this basketball program. I want to continue to build on that, make it even bigger and better with my style a little bit."
Question:
Before hiring Ford, did OSU have any shot at landing Bill Self?
Answer:
Former Kentucky athletic director C.M. Newton, who was among people advising Holder during the search, said, "I thought at one point Bill was going to take the job."
Question:
How many people did OSU interview for the job?
Answer:
Holder declined to give a number. He has confirmed he tried to hire Self and published reports have said OSU met with Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery, but it is inaccurate to say Lowery turned down the job. During Holder's dialogue with Newton, the athletic director mentioned several people he might be interested in. But, Newton said, "three or four were Bill Selfs and they weren't interested in leaving where they were."
Question:
When did OSU's courtship with Ford begin and what was the timetable?
Answer:
Holder said he didn't do anything except gather information while attending the Final Four. Then came the waiting game for Self and then came Plan B. On Monday, Holder met Ford in Cincinnati. Ford toured Stillwater the next day and returned to Massachusetts to visit with his family about the possibility of taking the OSU job. Ford called Holder on Wednesday afternoon to say he wanted to be a Cowboy.
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
4/20/2008
Last Modified: 4/20/2008 3:36 AM
Following are questions and answers regarding the Oklahoma State coaching search that resulted in the hiring of Travis Ford:
Question:
Was it risky for OSU athletic director Mike Holder to hire a basketball coach who has never won an NCAA Tournament game?
Answer:
Holder said every hire is risky because you never know what's going to happen. But he has faith that the guy he hired has the intangibles to get the job done. "I just love passion," Holder said. "You just feel that he loves what he's doing. If you work hard and you love what you are doing, you've got a great chance to be successful."
Question:
What was the reaction after Ford's introductory press conference?
Answer:
"It's euphoric right now," Holder said. "We haven't played a game. We haven't kept score. Things will change. But we've got a nice honeymoon here (and) I think he'll win over a lot of people."
Question:
Ford's three previous coaching stops were rebuilding jobs. How will he fare with a program that has made postseason trips 17 times in the last 18 years?
Answer:
"When you take over a program where things aren't going exactly right for whatever reason, it's different," Ford said. "I do have a lot of experience in that. Things here, the Sutton family put an incredible foundation here. I want to try to build on that. Coach (Eddie) Sutton (and) Sean, I know these guys extremely well. They have worked extremely hard for this basketball program. I want to continue to build on that, make it even bigger and better with my style a little bit."
Question:
Before hiring Ford, did OSU have any shot at landing Bill Self?
Answer:
Former Kentucky athletic director C.M. Newton, who was among people advising Holder during the search, said, "I thought at one point Bill was going to take the job."
Question:
How many people did OSU interview for the job?
Answer:
Holder declined to give a number. He has confirmed he tried to hire Self and published reports have said OSU met with Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery, but it is inaccurate to say Lowery turned down the job. During Holder's dialogue with Newton, the athletic director mentioned several people he might be interested in. But, Newton said, "three or four were Bill Selfs and they weren't interested in leaving where they were."
Question:
When did OSU's courtship with Ford begin and what was the timetable?
Answer:
Holder said he didn't do anything except gather information while attending the Final Four. Then came the waiting game for Self and then came Plan B. On Monday, Holder met Ford in Cincinnati. Ford toured Stillwater the next day and returned to Massachusetts to visit with his family about the possibility of taking the OSU job. Ford called Holder on Wednesday afternoon to say he wanted to be a Cowboy.