J.R. Ford, a graduate of the University of Michigan and a member of the 1997 championship football team, will take over as the wide receivers coach at AC in ‘07.

Ford played for the Wolverines and head coach Lloyd Carr during the 1995-1997 seasons, before transferring to Western Illinois University for the 1998 and 1999 seasons. At WIU, Ford led the Leathernecks in kick-returns as a senior, averaging 22.8 per return. His 71-yard touchdown against Mississippi Valley State in 1999 still ranks as the 10th longest run in WIU history. He was named the team’s 1999 Special Teams Player of the Year.

Ford returned to Michigan at the conclusion of his playing days at WIU and earned his degree in communications with minors in sociology and African American studies in 2000.

Entering the coaching field, Ford served as a running backs and wide receivers coach at Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus, Ohio, in 2003.

In 2005 and 2006, Ford coached at Brookhaven High School, also in Columbus. At Brookhaven he tutored the running backs and return specialists. He helped develop two second-team all-city halfbacks, while the 2005 team had seven kicks and punts returned for touchdowns. Brookhaven qualified for the 2005 state playoffs with Ford’s assistance.

Ford was an All-American running back and cornerback at Independence High School in Columbus before attending the University of Michigan.

Ford is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, the Black Coaches & Administrators, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has served as an academic and athletic mentor at Ann Arbor Huron High School.