WALTHAM, Mass. – Usually a coach staying isn't news, but when a former NBA head coach signs to be an interim head coach at the D-III level, it isn't expected to be for long.

Nonetheless, Chris Ford will return for a second season as head men's basketball coach at Brandeis, director of athletics Jeff Cohen.

"I enjoyed my time at Brandeis last season," Ford said. "I think we can be even more successful this year, with a year of recruiting. I am looking forward to continuing the challenge."

As an interim coach brought in just before the season in 2001-02, Ford, who played for and coached the Boston Celtics, helped Brandeis improve by three games overall last season to 8-17, including a two-game improvement to 3-11 in the UAA. The Judges' 2001-02 season matched their best year of the previous five.

"We are extremely pleased that coach Ford has decided to return for another season," Cohen said. "The team made great strides under his guidance last season, and we expect to see that improvement continue."

Last year was Ford's first as a head coach at the collegiate level after nine seasons as a head coach in the NBA. He spent five seasons with Celtics (1990-95) and two each with the Milwaukee Bucks (1996-98) and Los Angeles Clippers (1998-2000). Ford was also an assistant coach under K.C. Jones for the Celtics' championship teams in 1984 and 1986.