Wisconsin adds Julia Ford to women’s basketball staff
April 28, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Ford brings seven years of collegiate experience, including stops at Grand Canyon and Missouri
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin women's basketball program has added Julia Ford as an assistant coach, head coach Robin Pingeton announced Tuesday
"We're excited to welcome Julia Ford to Wisconsin," said Head Coach Robin Pingeton. "Having worked with her at Missouri, I've seen the impact she brings. Julia is a strong teacher of the game with a proven ability to develop players, and her energy and connection with student-athletes make her a great addition to our staff."
Ford arrives in Madison with seven years of collegiate coaching experience, most recently serving as an assistant coach at Grand Canyon. Prior to that, she spent two seasons at Missouri under Pingeton, beginning as special assistant to the head coach in 2023-24 before being elevated to an assistant role in 2024-25. She began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Clemson.
In her lone season at Grand Canyon (2025-26), Ford helped guide the Lopes to a strong finish down the stretch, winning four of their final six regular-season games and advancing to the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals.
Prior to Grand Canyon, Ford spent two seasons at Missouri, where she helped develop one of the SEC's top scorers in Grace Slaughter. Slaughter averaged 15.0 points per game and earned SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, while improving her three-point shooting from 37.1 percent to 45.9 percent under Ford's guidance. Ford also played a role in the development of Ashton Judd, nearly doubling her scoring average from 7.4 to 13.4 points per game, and mentored multiple All-SEC Freshman Team performers.
Defensively, Ford contributed to the success of Mama Dembele, who earned All-SEC Defensive Team recognition and ranked among the nation's leaders in steals and assists.
In the summer of 2025, Ford gained international head coaching experience, leading Team USA's Women's 3x3 U19 Nations League squad to a FIBA Women's AmeriCup title in Punta Arenas, Chile. The team posted a 14-2 record over seven days of competition.
Prior to Missouri, Ford spent the 2022-23 season at Coastal Carolina, helping develop two All-Sun Belt honorees. She began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Clemson (2020-22), focusing on player development, film study and off-court growth.
Ford also has experience with USA Basketball, working with elite athletes and coaches during multiple summers to assist with training and preparation.
A former standout player, Ford competed collegiately at Bentley under Hall of Fame head coach Barbara Stevens.
"I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to join the Wisconsin women's basketball program," said Ford. "Coach Pingeton has created an environment of growth that holds student-athletes to a high standard on and off the court. I look forward to working with this outstanding group of coaches and players. I am grateful to Coach Pingeton for her trust and support in welcoming me to her staff. On, Wisconsin!"
"We're excited to welcome Julia Ford to Wisconsin," said Head Coach Robin Pingeton. "Having worked with her at Missouri, I've seen the impact she brings. Julia is a strong teacher of the game with a proven ability to develop players, and her energy and connection with student-athletes make her a great addition to our staff."
Ford arrives in Madison with seven years of collegiate coaching experience, most recently serving as an assistant coach at Grand Canyon. Prior to that, she spent two seasons at Missouri under Pingeton, beginning as special assistant to the head coach in 2023-24 before being elevated to an assistant role in 2024-25. She began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Clemson.
In her lone season at Grand Canyon (2025-26), Ford helped guide the Lopes to a strong finish down the stretch, winning four of their final six regular-season games and advancing to the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals.
Prior to Grand Canyon, Ford spent two seasons at Missouri, where she helped develop one of the SEC's top scorers in Grace Slaughter. Slaughter averaged 15.0 points per game and earned SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, while improving her three-point shooting from 37.1 percent to 45.9 percent under Ford's guidance. Ford also played a role in the development of Ashton Judd, nearly doubling her scoring average from 7.4 to 13.4 points per game, and mentored multiple All-SEC Freshman Team performers.
Defensively, Ford contributed to the success of Mama Dembele, who earned All-SEC Defensive Team recognition and ranked among the nation's leaders in steals and assists.
In the summer of 2025, Ford gained international head coaching experience, leading Team USA's Women's 3x3 U19 Nations League squad to a FIBA Women's AmeriCup title in Punta Arenas, Chile. The team posted a 14-2 record over seven days of competition.
Prior to Missouri, Ford spent the 2022-23 season at Coastal Carolina, helping develop two All-Sun Belt honorees. She began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Clemson (2020-22), focusing on player development, film study and off-court growth.
Ford also has experience with USA Basketball, working with elite athletes and coaches during multiple summers to assist with training and preparation.
A former standout player, Ford competed collegiately at Bentley under Hall of Fame head coach Barbara Stevens.
"I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to join the Wisconsin women's basketball program," said Ford. "Coach Pingeton has created an environment of growth that holds student-athletes to a high standard on and off the court. I look forward to working with this outstanding group of coaches and players. I am grateful to Coach Pingeton for her trust and support in welcoming me to her staff. On, Wisconsin!"
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