Related Links: Division I coaching changes Forum: Will Ford become a big-time coach?
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Ford told fans Tuesday that they could look forward to a style of play similar to Florida, coached by another former Pitino player, Billy Donovan.

"I like to be the aggressor, to go after things that I want," Ford said.

Ford, 30, was the Southeastern Conference Tournament MVP in 1993 and '94, and was MVP in the 1993 NCAA Southeast Regional when Kentucky advanced to the Final Four under Pitino.

"I'm excited about coming to EKU as the head coach and am looking forward to this opportunity," Ford said. "Our goal is to finish at the top of the OVC in the near future and hopefully become one of the top programs in the Southeast."

Ford was Mid-South Conference coach of the year in 1998-99, and his Campbellsville team went 23-11 this season, losing in the first round in the NAIA tournament.

"Travis Ford is an outstanding young coach who possesses a great combination of energy, enthusiasm, coaching background, head coaching experience and Division I playing experience, as well as a burning desire to succeed," Eastern Kentucky athletics director Jeff Long said.

Ford's team went 16-17 in his first season, but the record was later changed to 7-26 after the Tigers agreed to forfeit 16 games in a settlement with the NAIA over questions about a transfer's eligibility. The Tigers were 28-3 in his second season. His record for the three years at Campbellsville would be 67-31 without the forfeits.

A native of Madisonville who starred at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, Ford played one year at Missouri and was Big Eight Conference freshman of the year before transferring to Kentucky. He graduated from Kentucky in 1994.

Perry resigned March 7 after a three-year record of 19-61, including 12-42 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Colonels struggled to a 6-21 record this past season, winning only two OVC games.

Campbellsville said the school appointed a search committee to find a new coach.