Former Kentucky Star Travis Ford Takes Over as UALR Head Coach

Ford, who has coached at five other schools, looks to revive the Trojans program.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:08am

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Travis Ford, a former standout guard at the University of Kentucky, has been named the new head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). This will be Ford's sixth head coaching job, as he looks to revive a Trojans program that has struggled in recent seasons.

Why it matters

Ford brings a wealth of coaching experience to UALR, having previously led programs at Massachusetts, Oklahoma State, Saint Louis, and most recently, Incarnate Word. His hiring is seen as a major coup for the Trojans, who are hoping his pedigree and connections can help attract top talent to the Little Rock campus.

The details

Ford, 48, spent four seasons as the head coach at Incarnate Word, leading the Cardinals to a 61-50 record. Prior to that, he had successful stints at Massachusetts, Oklahoma State, and Saint Louis, compiling an overall head coaching record of 321-247. As a player, Ford was a standout guard for Kentucky in the late 1990s, helping lead the Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA Tournament.

  • Ford was announced as the new UALR head coach on April 1, 2026.
  • He will begin his duties with the Trojans in May 2026, ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The players

Travis Ford

The new head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, bringing over 20 years of head coaching experience at the Division I level.

Eddie Ford

The father of Travis Ford, who has provided support and guidance throughout his son's coaching career.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)

The Division I university located in Little Rock, Arkansas, whose men's basketball program is looking to Ford to revive its fortunes.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited to get to work and build something special here at UALR. This is a great opportunity, and I can't wait to get started.”

— Travis Ford, Head Coach, UALR

What’s next

Ford will begin assembling his coaching staff in the coming weeks and will hit the recruiting trail to build his first roster at UALR.

The takeaway

The hiring of Travis Ford, a proven winner at the Division I level, represents a major coup for the UALR basketball program as it looks to return to prominence in the Sun Belt Conference.