Ford is now in front

The University of Massachusetts's search for a men's basketball coach took another twist yesterday when Eastern Kentucky coach Travis Ford passed Kent State's Jim Christian to become the front-runner.

According to sources at UMass and Eastern Kentucky, Ford could close a deal this week, but he has told UMass officials he wants time to see how the coaching landscape changes. Sources at UMass indicated that, if everything worked out, an offer could be made to Ford in the next few days.

Contacted by phone last night, Ford said, "I talked to them, and we had a good discussion, and I'm just waiting to see what happens."

Ford is waiting to see what Tennessee, for one, does with its opening. Yesterday, Tennessee officials confirmed that they had asked permission to talk to Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz, the front-runner to replace Buzz Peterson, who was fired by the Vols last week. If Lutz doesn't get an offer, sources at Tennessee say, Ford would be a strong candidate there.

Ford would not comment on his interest in Tennessee.

"I'm just waiting to see what happens in a lot of places," he said.

UMass's interest in Ford is what made Christian back off after he expressed a strong interest in the position. Contacted last night, Christian confirmed he met with UMass officials last weekend but said he had not heard from them since. Although Ford has no direct UMass ties, he played for Rick Pitino at Kentucky. Pitino is a UMass graduate and has expressed a strong interest in the fortunes of his alma mater.

Meanwhile, Northeastern coach Ron Everhart may be getting feelers from other schools. While Everhart said last night that no official contact had been made, he had heard reports linking him to openings at Eastern Michigan and Tulane.

"Right now all I hear are rumors," said Everhart. "I'm not sure what any of it means. It's that time of the year."