 Although no official reason was stated, it was widely believed Ward was relieved because of his inability to defeat Oklahoma; his career record against the Sooners with the tie in 1952 in Boulder in the season opener, earning him UPI Coach of the Week honors.He retired from coaching after his firing.Ward is credited with bringing the Colorado Buffaloes football program to national prominence in As of 2007, Ward is ranked third at Colorado in total number of games coached, fourth in total wins, and sixth in conference wins.