AUSTIN - Baylor University assistant athletics coach Michael Ford has agreed to coach Olympic 400 meters champion Jeremy Wariner as he prepares for the Beijing Games.

Reigning world and Olympic 400-meter champion Jeremy Wariner, pictured in 2007, has split from coach Clyde Hart in a contract dispute barely six months before the Beijing Olympics, the famed athletics mentor said Tuesday. [Agencies]

Wariner split with longtime mentor Clyde Hart, who coached Wariner from skinny high school kid to one of the biggest track stars in the world over the past five years, in a contract dispute. Hart said he rejected a new contract for less money.

Ford, 34, said on Wednesday he hasn't yet worked out contract details.

"Jeremy asked me to work with him after things fell out with him and coach Hart," Ford said.

Ford ran the 400 at Baylor under Hart and has been an assistant there for several years. He helped recruit Wariner to Baylor out of high school. His coaching style won't be much different from Hart, Ford said.

"Training-wise 95 percent of it won't deviate from what Jeremy is already doing," Ford said.

Hart has long been considered a 400 guru with an international reputation for developing some of the biggest names in athletics - he coached Olympic champion and world record-holder Michael Johnson - and his split with Wariner in an Olympic year was a surprise.

In addition to the 2004 Olympic gold medal, Wariner won the gold medal at the 2005 and 2007 world championships, setting a personal record each year under Hart's tutoring. He's favored to repeat his Olympic medal this year.

Ford said he's ready to step into Hart's shoes on the international stage.

"I know the goals are still the same, to win the gold medal and try to break the (world) record. I think I'm capable of doing the job," he said.

According to Wariner's Web site, he's scheduled to compete at the Sydney Grand Prix in Australia on February 16. Ford said he hoped his deal with Wariner wouldn't strain his relationship with Hart. The two coaches met to talk about it in private on Wednesday.

"We're going to work through it," Ford said. "We had a big hug after our meeting today."