Ford deal is complete … $300k through 2014-15
Marshall University called Kent State athletic director Laing Kennedy on Tuesday to ask for permission to interview Geno Ford for its head coaching vacancy.
Kennedy, KSU president Lester Lefton and athletic-director-in-waiting Joel Nielsen made sure that meeting would never take place, working together to hammer out an extension that could keep Ford in Kent through the 2014-15 season at an annual salary of $300,000 per year.
I talked to Ford just a few minutes ago. He and his wife Traci cut short a vacation to fly home to Kent to sign the new deal.
From what I’ve heard from other sources, Ford was high up on Marshall’s list … and possibly one of the top two candidates. But Ford was eager to stay in Kent and continue what he and others have built here.
It’s a good deal. Technically, he will make $250,000 in base salary … but when you add in another $50,000 in supplemental income he will make $300,000 per year and $1.5 million over the course of the contract.
It’s interesting how the deal materialized. Kennedy had always wanted to have the contract extension in place by the Final Four. When Marshall called, that added an extra sense of urgency. He was on his way to Indianapolis. Lefton was on the road between Columbus and Kent. Ford was out west on vacation with his wife. They were all keeping in contact with Nielsen in South Dakota. And somehow they all managed to come together on a deal worth $1.5-million that is the most significant investment Kent State has made in the future of Kent State basketball.
Ford signed the deal today… An announcement is expected tomorrow.
Related posts:
- Ford is coach of the year…
- Nielsen will be next AD…
- More than just revenge on KSU’s mind at BGSU …
- Kent State closing in on athletic director hire…
- Laing Kennedy announces retirement…
Category: General Discussions
this is great news!
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I am extremely happy about this. Our chances of continuing to grow the basketball program is dependent on this staff staying together. IMO, Geno will more than prove his worth.
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Good deal! Maybe Mardhall can go after Dambrot. Do you know who else was on Marshall’s short list? Where does this place Geno salary-wise in the MAC?
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BrashFlash,
I’m not exactly sure where this puts Ford in terms of the salary rankings in the MAC. I don’t have all of the other numbers. But, it certainly puts him in the top third.
Dave, that is great news! Hopefully Kent will now make the commitment to keep the assistant coaches here, as well as build/remodel an existing building, so that the mens and women’s teams can have a quality practice facility.
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bulldog said: “Hopefully Kent will now make the commitment to keep the assistant coaches here.”
YES
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BrashFlash,
I’ve heard a lot of names. One of them is Buzz Peterson. I don’t know that to be true, but it’s from a pretty good source who said Geno was pretty high up on Marshall’s list as well.
Bulldog and Mike,
That’s actually already been discussed. I’m sure they are going to do everything they can to keep the staff together and compensate them appropriately.
I am happy for Coach Ford and for the program. I agree so much with the need to keep the assistants here. As an outside observer, I think Armon Gates is the guy you really really want to keep around.
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fallsdog said: “I think Armon Gates is the guy you really really want to keep around.”
YES!
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