The announcement was made Friday afternoon by Ken Oliver, vice president for institutional growth and student engagement.

Ford had been associate head coach and defensive coordinator for the Eagle football squad. A native of Frankford, Mo. he served as head coach at Mayville (N.D.) State University prior to joining the Central Methodist staff in 2008.

"Jody is a player's coach and a very community-oriented person," Oliver said. "I've known him for many years, and we are excited to have him step up as head coach."

Oliver emphasized that Ford's appointment will give him full control of the Eagle football program.

Over the past three seasons, the Eagles posted a 14-17 record, including a 5-5 mark last season. The 2009 squad was 6-5, CMU's first winning campaign in 18 years. The Eagles return 10 starters this season, which kicks off Sept. 1 at home against the NAIA's fifth-ranked Mid-America Nazarene University.

Ford is a graduate of the former Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri), and received his master's degree from Northeastern (Okla.) State University. His coaching resume includes stops at Quincy (Ill.) University; Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo.; Occidental College (Los Angeles, Calif.); Northeastern (Okla.) State; and Central Missouri State.

"We wish Coach Dykens well, and we thank him for his service to Central Methodist University," noted Oliver. "He turned our program around and leaves it in fine shape."

Oliver said a search has begun to complete the coaching staff.