University of South Dakota Athletics

Joe Ford joined the Coyote staff in the summer of 2013 after spending six seasons at Minot State University in North Dakota including five as coordinator. Ford heads the outside linebackers for USD defensive coordinator Jason Petrino's 3-4 scheme. In his first season, he aided the development of Tyler Starr, the 2013 Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons.

Ford was responsible for linebacker and defensive back development at Minot State. He called plays and created and implemented the Beavers' weekly game plan. Six players earned all-conference honors under Ford's tutelage.

Minot State participated in the NAIA playoffs in 2009, the team's first appearance since 2002. The Beavers led the Dakota Athletic Conference with 17 interceptions that season. Minot State ranked 16^th nationally in scoring defense in 2010 and was fourth in sacks per game (3.0). The Beavers played an independent schedule in 2010 before transitioning to NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Conference in 2011.

Ford began his coaching career in 2004 at Southwest Minnesota State where he coached the cornerbacks for two seasons. He moved to St. Cloud State in 2006 and finished his master's degree in physical education while coaching the Huskies' linebackers. Ford began at Minot State in 2007 and coached linebackers before moving to the secondary in 2008.

Ford is a 2003 graduate of South Dakota State where he earned his bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation. He was a three-year letterwinner from 2000-02 for the Jackrabbits and was voted team captain by his teammates his senior season. Prior to arriving in Brookings, Ford was an all-conference return specialist as a freshman at University of Sioux Falls.