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Travis Ford receives strong endorsement from Oklahoma State athletic director, booster

Travis Ford

Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech in the Big 12 men’s tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, March 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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(Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez

Rumors have been swirling that Oklahoma State could be looking to part ways with head coach Travis Ford in recent days. On Tuesday, Cowboy athletic director Mike Holder released a statement defending Ford and saying that he would remain Oklahoma State’s head coach.

Here is the full statement released by Holder:

“Given the overwhelming amount of unfounded rumors surrounding the future of our head basketball coach Travis Ford, I am departing from my usual practice of not talking about personnel matters. Travis Ford is our head coach now, and he will be our head coach moving forward. No one wants to win games, win championships and make deep tournament runs more than our coach. When I met with Coach Ford at the end of the season, we reviewed this past season and spent time talking about the future of Oklahoma State basketball. I am convinced Travis is as dedicated as ever to our university and to the young men who play for him. I was particularly pleased with our conversation around the importance of graduating our basketball players. Let me say, we are fully committed to coach Ford and supporting him and our basketball program.”

Also showing public support for Ford on Tuesday was noted Oklahoma State booster and billionaire T. Boone Pickens. The hedge fund chairman took to Twitter to support Ford.

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Having the public support of the athletic director and a billionaire booster would seem to indicate that Ford will definitely return next season. It also doesn’t hurt that Ford would be owed the full amount of the 10-year contract extension that he signed in 2009. According to a report from Erik Horne of News Oklahoma, that amount would be $9.6 million.

Ford just completed his seventh season as the head coach at Oklahoma State, where he has compiled a 143-91 record at the school. The Cowboys have made the tournament in five of those seasons, but have lost in the opening game the last four times.

(H/t: News Oklahoma)