OSU Basketball: Ford Not Going Anywhere

Just when it seemed the Travis Ford saga had reached the metaphorical - and perhaps literal - “point of no return,” one T. Boone Pickens stepped in and saved the coach's job.

Shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Pickens tweeted his endorsement of the Oklahoma State coach, “I'm in Travis Ford's camp. He deserves more time at #OKState. Go Pokes!”

An hour later OSU Athletic Director Mike Holder issued a statement saying, “Travis Ford is our head coach now, and he will be our head coach moving forward.”

After days of rumors about buyouts and coaching replacements and donor groups pooling their monies culminated in a weekend meeting between Pickens and Holder, all signs pointed to an early exit for the man who is under contract through 2091, excuse me, 2019.

There was so much support behind the ($9.6 million at least) buyout, what choice would Holder have had but to cut bait and find a suitable replacement? Virginia Tech's Buzz Williams and CBS Sports' Doug Gottlieb were two names being thrown around.

Then Pickens' endorsement came around like a Joe's cup of water on a candle, extinguishing any further speculation that Travis Ford was going anywhere soon. You won't find too many Cowboy basketball fans who agree with T. Boone's feeling that Ford deserves more time, but you also won't find many fans who feel they can argue with T. Boone's opinion either. He's kind of a big deal.

Pickens' plug won't save OSU basketball, but it will quiet the rabble rousers and likely save him the large chunk of change he'd be asked to front to help with the buyout.

Ford will bring in five-star point guard Jawun Evans next season but enthusiasm will remain at an all-time low until he finds success in the Big 12 and in the NCAA Tournament. Or, we might be having this same discussion next year.