David Ferrell was announced as the 17th head men's basketball coach at the University of the Ozarks on Wednesday.
Ferrell spent the past 21 seasons as the boys coach at West Fork where he piled up 458 wins. The past three seasons for the Tigers were the most successful as they went 87-18 since the 2010-11 season.
“I am very excited about hiring David Ferrell as our basketball coach,” University of the Ozarks Athletics Director Jimmy Clark said. “The fact that he has won more than 500 high school games in Arkansas, and has been involved with a number of basketball organizations in the state, provides our program with visibility and recognition. His reputation as a coach and a person gives the program immediate interest. He has tremendous connections within the state.”
The University of the Ozarks compete at the NCAA division-III level, which is non-scholarship.
Ferrell's son, Josh, will be playing for the Eagles as well. The younger Ferrell will be a freshman this fall.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” Ferrell said. “It is any coach’s dream to coach at the college level. I just knew it was the right time for me. And, it is icing on the cake to be able to coach my son for four more years and be with my daughter, who is the assistant women’s coach. My family and I absolutely love the university. But the most difficult thing in this profession is to leave the school where you’ve been so long. West Fork is a special place to me and I believe it is the best high school job in Arkansas.”
Ferrell picked up his 500th high school win earlier this year. Ferrell has a career record of 510-202 (.716)
Ferrell's daughter, Jordyn, just finished her playing career at the university and is now the women's assistant coach.