Ford hired to helm Raider Football
Photo by Greg Bird
MCHS Principal Sharon Privett and A.D. Robert Jones announce the hiring of Lucas Ford (center) as the new Head Coach of the Raiders’ Football team.
McCreary Central High School Principal Sharon Privett and Atheltic Director Robert Jones announced the hiring a new Head Coach for the Raider Football Program.
Lucas Ford, who served as Assistant Coach at Somerset High School last year, will step in and attempt to revitalize a Raider team that has won only 7 games in the past six seasons, and will be the fourth Head Coach over that span.
“I’m very excited,” Ford said Friday after his hiring. “I believe there is a lot of potential to build a strong program, and plan on being here for a long time.”
Ford has a history of rejuvenating a program. In 2014 he was named Head Coach at Cavernal High School, where he not only doubled the school’s previous win total, he also doubled the roster and averaged 23 points per game.
Ford has been involved in coaching since 2003 when he headed a team in the Lake Cumberland Youth Football and led his squad to a League Championship and undefeated season in 2005.
In 2007 he served as a Student Assistant and coached wide receivers and safeties at Lexington Catholic High School in 2007 – the year the school won the Class 4A State Championship.
He coached at Somerset in 2005, , between 2008 and 2013 and again in 2015 – helping the Briar Jumpers to win five District and Regional Championships and a state runner-up in 2009.
Ford stated he planed to begin work for the 2016 season right away, taking a few weeks to meet with prospective players and begin a weight lifting program and hiring a staff.
In mid-July the Raiders will start summer practice.
Ford stated he will take time to evaluate his team, but intends to be aggressive on defense.
“I like to bring more than they can block,” he said.
Offensively Ford will look at the assets available before deciding on a particular style for the Raiders.
Principal Privett said Ford was bringing a positive attitude to the team.
“He brings stability and positivity to our school,” she said. “He has expressed his desire to try and involve our school and community in the program, which is a step in the right direction.”
Jones echoed the sentiment, stating Ford is “a good fit.”
“He has a lot of coaching background and brings excitement to the program,” he said.
Ford will replace Justin Bozeman, who resigned from the position after one season leading the Raiders to a 2-8 record.
