Ford Era Begins: Little Rock Introduces Proven Winner to Lead Trojan Basketball

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – "I walked out of that meeting thinking, 'This is a place I want to be.'"

That moment, according to Travis Ford, set everything in motion - and on Tuesday at the Jack Stephens Center, it officially became reality as Little Rock introduced Ford as the 24th head coach in program history.

"The more I learned about Little Rock, the more I realized this is a place we can win — and win big," Ford said.

Ford arrives with nearly 500 career victories and a national reputation as a program builder, bringing immediate energy and expectation to a Trojan program poised for its next step.

Director of Athletics Frank M. Cuervo said that from the start of a comprehensive national search, Ford separated himself as the right leader at the right time.

"We set out to find a leader who shares our values, prioritizes relationships and has a proven record of success," Cuervo said. "After an extensive search, all roads led us to Travis Ford. He's not only an outstanding basketball coach — he's an even better person."

The hire comes at a pivotal moment as Little Rock builds momentum and prepares for a new chapter in the United Athletic Conference.

Chancellor Christina Drale emphasized the broader impact of the decision.

"Simply put, Coach Ford is a leader who understands how to build and sustain a strong program in a way that reflects positively on the institution he represents," Drale said. "This hire reflects our commitment to competing at a high level while ensuring the total success of our student-athletes — both academically and competitively."

That alignment now sets the foundation moving forward.

"We want to excel in the classroom, engage this community like never before and relentlessly pursue excellence in competition," Cuervo said. "That means competing for championships and positioning ourselves for the NCAA Tournament."

On the court, Ford's vision is clear — and built for results and excitement.

"We're going to play fast, we're going to be aggressive and we're going to make it tough on teams every single night," Ford said. "We're going to develop our players and build a program they're proud to be part of."

Just as important, Ford delivered a direct message to Trojan Nation.

"I want this arena packed from day one," Ford said. "Don't wait — these players deserve that energy right now. This is your team, and we want this community to be part of everything we're building."

With alignment across leadership and a proven winner at the helm, the message is clear — Little Rock basketball is ready to rise.

"The possibilities here are endless," Ford said. "If we come together — our players, our staff and this community — we're going to build something special."
  For the latest information on Little Rock Men's Basketball, visit LRTrojans.com and follow @LittleRockMBB on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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