Missouri State dismisses basketball coach Dana Ford

Field Level Media|published: Sun 10th March, 12:26 2024

Missouri State Bears Head Coach Dana Ford during the final seconds of a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game between Missouri State and Indiana State, Friday, March 8, 2024, at Enterprise Center in St. Louis. credits: Michael Gulledge Special to the News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

Missouri State basketball coach Dana Ford won't return to the program for the 2024-25 season.

Athletic director Kyle Moats announced Sunday that the school dismissed Ford after a 17-16 season, 8-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Ford, 39, was hired on March 22, 2018, and had a 106-82 record (64-48 MVC) in six seasons. Under Ford, the Bears' best finish came in 2021-22, when they tied for second in the conference and earned an NIT invitation.

He coached Tennessee State (2014-18) to a 57-65 record before being hired at Missouri State.

The Bears' season ended Friday with a loss to top-seeded Indiana State in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.

"Dana has been an amazing role model for our players and a great ambassador for our university and our program," Moats said in a news release. "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.

"I want to thank coach Ford and his staff for their hard work and professionalism during their tenure at Missouri State."

Moats said a national search for Ford's successor would begin immediately.

—Field Level Media