There has never been a guy more loyal to the Carolina Tar Heels than Phil, I can tell you that!
PHIL
FORD
Phil Jackson Ford Jr. born February 9, 1956 in Kannapolis, North Carolina; the son of two school teachers, Mrs. Mabel Ford and Mr. Phil Ford Sr. both whom were instructors in the North Carolina Public School system. Ford grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina and attended Rocky Mount Senior High School where he was honored with a position on the High School All-America team, before enrolling in the University of North Carolina under a full athletic scholarship under Coach Dean Smith. Ford was Smith’s first freshman player that was not on the junior varsity team to start a game during the coach’s tenure at UNC. Ford finished with a brilliant freshman year, leading the Tar Heels to the 1975 ACC Tournament championship; becoming the first freshman in league history to win the Everett Case Award as the Most Valuable Player in the ACC Tournament. After Phil’s sophomore season, he went on to earn a gold medal in the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada where Team USA included five other Tar Heels Walter Davis, Mitch Kupchak, Tom LaGarde, assistant coach Bill Guthridge and of course the brains behind all this talent, Dean Smith sailed passed the competition. Phil’s senior year proved to be his most rewarding season by far, winning the prestigious Wooden Award and averaging over 20 points per game. At one point, Phil led as both all time leading scorer at UNC with 2,290 points; and assists with just over 750. He was the second overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, selected by the Kansas City Kings. Ford continued to shine at the professional level, gaining the Rookie of the Year award in 1979. Ford retired from the NBA in 1985, and shortly after began a career in banking with North Carolina National Bank before embarking a career in coaching at UNC. Phil is an outstanding member of the Saint John’s Missionary Baptist Church and founded the Phil Ford Foundation that fights premature obesity.
AWARDS
Awards
NCHSAA Highest career scoring average 27.9 points per game
1978 Consensus National Player of the Year
Gold Medalist in 1976 Summer Olympics Montreal, Canada
2 ACC Championships (74&77)
1975 ACC Tournament MVP
#2 Overall Pick in the 1978 NBA Draft by Kansas City Kings
NBA Rookie of the Year (1979)
All-Time Leading scorer in UNC History from 1978-2008 2,290 points (Currently #2 Behind T. Hansbrough)
ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS
Two Time Consensus ALL-America team member. (77,78)
Three Time Basketball weekly team member (76,77,78)
Three time United Press International (76 2nd team, 77,78)
Coaches (76,77,78)
Sporting news (76,77 2nd Team,78)
Ass. Press (77 2nd Team, 77,78)
USBWA (77, 78)
1978 John Wooden Award Winner
#12 Jersey Retired at UNC
753 Assists at UNC once led UNC now 3rd behind Ed Cota and Kendall Marshall
Inducted into NABC Hall of Fame in 2012
6 ACC player of the week awards
Coaching:
5 Final Four appearances
NBA Career
Phil Jackson Ford Jr. was the second overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft
NBA Rookie of the Year 1979
NBA CAREER STATS: 5,594 Points 11.6 Points Per Game
3,083 Assists 6.4 Assists per Game
K.C. Kings 1978-1982
New Jersey Nets/Milwaukee Bucks 1982-1983
Houston Rockets 1983-1985
COACHING
Returned to the UNC Tar Heels in 1988, but this time as an assistant coach not a player, He helped lead the Tar Heels to Five Final-4’s and 5 ACC Championship appearances and One well deserved National Title in 1993. Phil was an assistant coach under Dean Smith until Smith’s retirement in 1997, both Phil and another assistant Bill Guthridge were the top two for the job. After all was said, Bill Guthridge was awarded the head coaching job but Phil could not have been more happy for Bill. In the 1999-2000 season, Phil along with Head Coach Bill Guthridge and staff left the UNC Tar Heels. Newly hired head coach Matt Doherty brought in a whole new coaching staff and wiped the bench clean of veteran coaches. Phil did something that most coaches would not do, he helped new head coach Matt Doherty and gave him the in’s and out of the team. Phil had a short career in the National Basketball Association as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Kid Who Couldn't Dunk
The little Phil Ford Story with tips from Phil on being your best!
BOOK PHIL FORD TODAY
OTHER SERVICES
The perfect surprise for your favorite Tar Heel fan. Have Phil record a personal message for a birthday, get well, greeting, or a simple “Have a great day!”
Tweet or Facebook post – $75
Phil will directly mention or tag a person of your choosing in a tweet or facebook post with a personalized message.
Lunch or Dinner – $500 + Travel
Phil will accompany as a guest for your next company meeting, evening out with friends to eat & talk Carolina basketball, or at a Rotary or other service club meeting. (Up to 1.5 hours)
Celebration – $500 + Travel
Invite Phil to join you and your guest and make your birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, or anniversary party even more memorable! (Up to 1 hour)
Appearance – $2500 + Travel
Phil will make an appearance at your next event. Perfect for sales meetings, grand openings, and business events. (Up to 2 hours)
Speaking Engagement – $2500 - $5000
Motivate and inspire your group by having Phil speak at your next event. Stimulate your business, energize your employees, and motivate the younger generation. This includes topics such as, Dean Smith’s system for success, what it takes to be an All-American, and doing the right thing. Phil can customize his presentation to your industry and desire.
Round of Golf – $500 + Travel
Invite Phil to join and play on your next full round of Golf. (Up to 4 hours)
Attend a Game – $500 + Travel
AAU/High School/College – Seeking some extra motivation for your players. Invite Phil to attend your team’s next game and give a brief motivation talk before the game or at Halftime.
Guest Coaching Session – $1500
Elementary through College – Let Phil help install the Carolina success formula with offensive and defensive schemes. He’ll work with the coaching staff to improve strategy and employ winning principles. (Up to 2 hours)
Private 1 on 1 Instruction – To Be Quoted
Phil will work 1 on 1 with a player on individual skills. Highlighting ball handling and shooting. (Contact for customized plan including time and rate of session)
