Purdue University Northwest Athletic Director Rick Costello has announced the hiring of Jesse Ford as the next head coach for the women's basketball program.
"I am thrilled to welcome Jesse Ford as the next head coach of the women's basketball program at Purdue Northwest," said Rick Costello, Director of Athletics. "Jesse is a rising star in the collegiate coaching profession. He has a proven track record of recruiting successfully in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, and a history of building outstanding basketball programs. I am excited for the leadership that he will bring to the PNW Pride women's basketball team."
Ford arrives in Hammond after coaching three seasons at Indiana University Northwest where he compiled an impressive overall record of 60-31 (.66 win percentage) and a CCAC conference record of 44-18 (.71 win percentage). He guided the Indiana Northwest women's basketball program through a successful transition to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) culminating in the program's first NAIA National Tournament appearance (since the NAIA's merger to a single division) in 2023. During the 2022-23 season, the Redhawks finished second in the CCAC regular season with notable victories over #23 St. Francis and #13 Indiana Tech and advanced to the CCAC Tournament Championship game.
"From the moment I set foot on the Purdue University Northwest campus, I have been thoroughly impressed and excited to call PNW home," said Ford. "This is a great opportunity under the guidance of Chancellor Holford, whose exceptional support of PNW Athletics promises a bright future. Thank you to Athletic Director Rick Costello for his belief in me as a person and a coach and for his tireless efforts to build the success and notoriety of the Pride. I want to also thank Tom Albano, Senior Associate Athletic Director, for his guidance which has a direct impact on the recruiting success at PNW. I extend my thanks to Courtney Locke, Assistant Athletic Director of Strategic Initiatives and Natalie Jarrett, Senior Woman Administrator for their efforts building the women's basketball program and developing the student-athletes. I am beginning this new chapter filled with energy and gratitude, and I look forward to leading the Women's Basketball program!"
Ford brings over a decade of college coaching experience, primarily at the NAIA-level. Before his time as head coach of Indiana Northwest, Ford was the head coach at Fisher College in Boston, Mass., for four seasons. While there, he was the winningest coach in program history with 54 wins and four consecutive trips to the postseason.
Throughout his career, Ford has coached and developed several all-conference student-athletes, a conference player of the year, a defensive player of the year, and NAIA All-American with his teams ranked nationally in the NAIA in many defensive categories.
Ford began his coaching career at the University of Idaho as he was an undergraduate student assistant for the women's basketball programs during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. During the 2013-14 season, Ford was a Graduate Assistant coach with the University of Idaho men's basketball program.
Ford earned his Bachelor's of Arts in Spanish and Bachelor's of Science in Psychology in 2010 from the University of Idaho, followed by a Master's of Science in Sports Psychology in 2014 from the University of Idaho.
About Purdue University Northwest and Pride Athletics:
Part of the internationally respected Purdue University system, Purdue University Northwest offers world-class educational opportunities at an excellent value on two culturally diverse, student-centered campuses, located in Northwest Indiana and in close proximity to Chicago. Purdue Northwest has approximately 8,900 students and offers more than 70-degree programs at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels. Purdue Northwest Athletics consists of 450 student athletes and 21 sports and is a member of NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Intercollegiate athletic teams are fielded in baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, esports, men's and women's golf, men's ice hockey, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track & field, softball, stunt and women's volleyball. Purdue Northwest has recently developed new ice hockey, baseball, basketball, esports, softball, soccer, and tennis facilities. For more information on the Purdue University Northwest athletics program please go to PNWathletics.com.
