OU Sports: Keith Ford explains his decision to leave the Sooners, and where he might be headed
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer | Posted 22 minutes ago
NORMAN – Running back Keith Ford issued a statement to the Tulsa World Wednesday declaring he was transferring from Oklahoma. Ford and his father granted the World a telephone interview Wednesday night to help explain that decision.
TW: When did you decide to transfer?
Ford: “After the coaching change there, it didn’t start off right. I talked to my parents. I didn’t like the coach. We were just talking that I think I should leave. First of all, we made sure we got my grades squared away to make sure I would be eligible to transfer. We did that, and I decided to transfer away from OU.”
TW: What coach are you referring to?
Ford: “The running backs coach (Jay Boulware, who moved to running backs coach in OU’s staff change last February).”
TW: What was the problem?
Ford: “It just wasn’t the right fit. His style of coaching was not my style. I had a relationship with Coach Gundy (Cale Gundy, the running backs coach before switching to inside receivers). I really came to OU because of Coach Gundy, because I wanted to work with him. I didn’t really know this guy and his actions didn’t fit the way I wanted to be coached.”
TW: Your dad said March 31 that you hadn’t decided what to do. So this was a recent decision?
Ford: “I’d already been thinking about it. I told my parents, and they said to make sure you get your grades squared away. I did that and I am eligible to transfer. I just want to get a new start and focus on other things. I mentioned coming back close to home and being close to my family and more of a support system.”
TW: So your intention is to transfer close to Houston?
Ford: “I had a couple smaller schools (in mind). I mentioned Texas A&M. OU has already sent my transcript release over there, so I’m going to be talking to them and see how their running back coach is. Just really take my time with the process.”
TW: Any other schools you’re interested in?
Ford: “I really don’t know. They’ve been calling my dad. I really can’t talk to them without me getting a release and everything. But a lot of schools have been calling my dad all day.”
Ford Sr: “We lost count. Utah, the first school to offer him a scholarship as a sophomore in high school, Western Kentucky, Vanderbilt, it’s all over the place. Everyone is calling to get the release because they can’t talk to Keith without the release. We’re trying to facilitate that. Once we facilitate that it’s up to Keith to make the right decision. Once the smoke clears ultimately the choice is his. He feels as though he needs a new start elsewhere, so we’ll support him.”
TW: Your statement today mentioned OU was granting you a full release. So they’re not restricting you from transferring to other programs in the Big 12 or on their upcoming schedule?
Ford: “I already told them I was moving out of conference, not be in the Big 12. They gave me a full release. That was a good thing. A lot of coaches you leave don’t do that.”
TW: Your dad told me in March that Coach Stoops was being cooperative and supportive through this process. Would you characterize it that way?
Ford: “Coach Stoops worked with me and I talked to him. Other coaches made sure I was OK. When they did find out I was going through some things, they really worked with me.”
TW: How would you describe what you were going through?
Ford: “It was a tough time, being hurt (he missed five games after breaking a bone in his leg against Tennessee Sept. 13) and having a bad season and just a lot of stuff. Not fully healed, still hurt even in the offseason. And you’ve got the coaching change, and I really felt like this was not going to be a good place for me.”
TW: Your dad mentioned you looked into situations where other players struggled to rebound psychologically after getting hurt. Was your injury the root cause of your issues?
Ford: “Yeah. When I broke my leg there was that several-week period of not playing and not really practicing. It was very hard to me just to see my teammates out there playing. I was happy for everybody, but it was hard not being out there on that field with them. When I got back, I got turf toe and my leg was still hurting. I just felt like I wasn’t 100 percent. I gave it my all, but I was playing hurt. (After) that season, I was just like, I’ve gotta get a new start.”
TW: The word your dad used to describe the situation was “uncharacteristic…”
Ford: “I was going through some things and they really took over everything. I felt like I wasn’t part of the team. I felt alone. Me, I shut down. I was going through some things the coaches didn’t know. Thank God they found out, because I’m not that type of person. I’d been there a year and a half with nothing bad about me. I’ve always been a good person. I’d always been to every meeting possible. During that time, I just felt like I wasn’t part of the team anymore.”
TW: How are you feeling now?
Ford: “I’m feeling pretty good. It’s good to be back home to clear my head, just get away from school a little bit, so I can take this process carefully and take some visits.”
TW: How are you physically?
Ford: “I feel good. I went in and lifted weights. I’m building myself back and trying to get bigger, faster and stronger. I’ve been training a little bit just easing my way back into things.”
TW: Is there anything you’ll miss about OU?
Ford: “OU is a good place. Playing in that stadium… I’ll miss my teammates, the fans, everything. It was a blessing to play for them. I wouldn’t take any of it back. I don’t regret it, not for one bit. Once a Sooner always a Sooner.”
TW: Anything you’d like to add, Mr. Ford?
Ford Sr: “There’s nothing to hide here. He’s being honest. Injuries, coaching change, when you add all that up, sometimes you’ve just got to make the right decision. But I’m gonna tell you something, Coach Gundy, he’s a good man. Keith formed a relationship with him. Hopefully he can find a place to go where he can form that relationship with his coach. Because I’m gonna tell you, that player you saw on that field was a product of Coach Gundy and the relationship that they had.”
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