Cornell Ford is in his first season as the cornerbacks coach for the Rockets.
Ford, a 1991 Toledo alumnus who previously coached for the Rockets for seven seasons under former Head Coach Gary Pinkel, returns to Toledo after spending 19 seasons as an assistant at Missouri under Pinkel and Barry Odom. He spent the 2020 season as a volunteer for the Rockets.
“Cornell Ford brings a wealth of experience to our program and we’re excited to have him on our staff,” said Head Coach Jason Candle. “His roots run deep here so he has a full appreciation for the great tradition Rocket Football. He will be a great resource and role model for the young men in our program.”
A native of Gary, Ind., Ford earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education (1991) and master’s degree in sports administration (1993) from Toledo. He was a graduate assistant coach with the Rockets from 1991-92 before joining the staff as an assistant coach at Marietta from 1993-95. He returned to Toledo in 1996 to serve as the wide receivers coach, then followed Pinkel to Missouri when he took the head coaching job with the Tigers in 2001.
“I’m thrilled to be coming back home to the Rockets,” said Ford. “I lived in Toledo for over 20 years, went to high school here, got married and had two kids here. This is my third opportunity to coach at my alma mater, and I’m excited to be a part of something special that Coach Candle is building. I’m looking forward to an exciting season and ready to grind.”
Ford was a part of Rocket teams that went 39-18 and won a MAC West Division title in 1997. Toledo set 10 passing records in 1997 and finished with a 10-1 record in 2000. Ford mentored one of the top receivers in Rocket history, Mel Long, Jr., who caught 175 passes from 1997-2000, which still ranks 11th all-time in school history.
At Missouri, Ford coached the outside safeties from 2001-03 and the cornerbacks from 2004-15. In 2016, Ford was promoted to assistant head coach and assumed the duties as the running backs coach. His final season at Missouri came in 2019. During Ford’s tenure at Missouri, the Tigers won three Big 12 North Division titles and two SEC East Division crowns.
Ford and his wife, Dawn, are the parents of a son, Devin, and a daughter, Taylor.
Cornell Ford’s Coaching Experience
2021 Toledo - Cornerbacks
2020 Toledo - Volunteer Coach
2016-19 Missouri - Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs
2004-15 Missouri - Cornerbacks
2001-03 Missouri - Outside Safeties
1996-2000 Toledo - Receivers
1996 Toledo - Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
1993-95 Marietta - Quarterbacks/Running Backs/Wide Receivers
1991-92 Toledo - Graduate Assistant
