Hall of Fame
Leon Ford ushered in the “modern” era of Chattanooga basketball. He was 12th head coach in school history, leading the Mocs from 1963-72.
Ford took over for Hall of Famer Tommy Bartlett who also led the uber-successful tennis programs. While currently ranking fifth all-time in wins, he was the winningest coach on the school ledger when he departed in 1972.
He managed a 126-126 slate during his tenure. His 1971 squad’s 18-5 record was the best to that date in team annals. His teams won 16 or more games four times in his 10 years. Prior to his coaching tenure, the Mocs managed 16 wins just twice since the program began in 1913.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Ford played two seasons of basketball at Louisville on the Cardinals’ 1951 NCAA and 1952 NIT Tournament teams. He was a high school coach in Alabama (Lee H.S. - Montgomery) before taking the reins of the Chattanooga program.
Leon and his wife, the former Jewell Dean Baker, had two children, Angela and Randy.
