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Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer
Missouri State coach Dana Ford is out after six seasons, the school announced Sunday morning.
The Bears’ season ended Friday with a 75-59 loss to Indiana State in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. They finished 17-16 overall and 8-12 in league play.
“Dana has been an amazing role model for our players and a great ambassador for our university and our program,” athletic director Kyle Moats said in a statement. “Likewise, he has given so much of his time in support of youth programs, charities and other community endeavors. That’s why this decision was not easy.”
Ford finishes his time at Missouri State with a 106-82 overall record, going 64-48 in Missouri Valley play. The Bears finished .500 or better in each of his first five seasons at the helm, including in 2021-22 when they went 23-11 overall and finished tied for second in the MVC standings.
Prior to taking over at Missouri State in 2018, Ford spent four seasons as the head coach at Tennessee State and has been an assistant at Illinois State, Wichita State and Tennessee State.
Northwest Missouri State coach Ben McCollum is expected to be among the top targets as Ford’s replacement, sources told ESPN. McCollum has won four Division II national championships in the past seven seasons and once again has the Bearcats ranked in the top five nationally.