When the University of Akron needed a new leader for its men's basketball program, they didn't just look at a resume—they looked at a legacy. Dustin Ford's hiring is about more than his 18 seasons learning under former Zips coach John Groce; it's about a lifetime spent immersed in the game, forged in a family where basketball is the family business.

That pedigree is undeniable. Ford's late father, Gene, and his older brother, Geno, are both enshrined in the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. Growing up in Cambridge, Ohio, where the town shut down for Friday night games, Dustin didn't just watch basketball; he lived it. "You almost get like a coaching MBA at the dinner table every single night," he once said, highlighting the unique education he received.

This deep-rooted understanding of the game, combined with nearly two decades of direct experience within the Akron system, makes Ford a uniquely prepared successor. He steps into the role not just as a former assistant, but as a coach shaped by a dynasty of basketball minds, ready to build on the foundation Groce established and write the next chapter for Zips basketball.