Coach Jim Ford Announces Retirement

AUGUSTA, ME – After 15 years as the head coach of the University of Maine at Augusta  men’s basketball program, Head Coach, Jim Ford, announced his retirement at the completion of the 2019-2020 basketball season.

His tenure as head coach began in 2005 for the UMA Moose. Coach Ford led UMA to its first Yankee Small College Conference Men’s Basketball Championship in 2009. Coach Ford led the Moose to the USCAA National Tournament in 2009 and 2010 where the Moose won opening round games. The Moose were awarded the YSCC Team Sportsmanship Award in back to back seasons from 2014-15 & 2015-16 as well as the YSCC Community Service Award for their work with Team Impact in 2019; a testament to the character of the players within the program. 

Coach Ford has had two 2,000-point scorers and a total of (7) 1,000 plus scorers leading to many USCAA National & YSCC Conference Athletic & Academic awards. Three of Jim Ford’s former players have been inducted into the UMA Athletics Hall of Fame with more future players to be nominated.

Coach Jim Ford graduated from St. Joseph’s College (Standish, Maine) where he was a captain of both the men’s basketball and baseball teams.  The St. Joseph’s College Sports Hall of Fame inducted Coach Ford as a Charter Member in the Class of 2000 inductees for accomplishments in basketball and All-Conference play in baseball leading the Monks to their first Conference Championship in school history. 

Over the years Coach Ford served as a teacher (38 years) and department chair for Oak Hill High School (Wales, Maine) while coaching basketball, baseball, tennis and cross country in 57 sports seasons.

Jim Ford will continue to make an impact educating students in his role with SIFMA Foundation National Education service.  Please join us in thanking Coach Jim Ford for all that he has contributed to the Moose family.