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However, former Wales dual-code international Paul Moriarty will take charge of the side for this weekend's home Amlin Challenge Cup match against Petrarca Rugby - a game in which the Falcons must target five points in order to bridge the two point gap between themselves and Pool leaders Toulon.
"Gary and Mike will be great assets alongside the existing coaching team and this is a demonstration of our intent to fight back and secure our Aviva Premiership status," said Falcons owner Semore Kurdi.
Gold has a top class coaching CV which includes a stint as an assistant coach at London Irish in 2001 before taking the top role the following year. He moved back to South Africa after three season in the UK to become technical director at the Super 14 franchise the Stormers before taking over as head coach at Western Province.
He joined the Springboks as forwards coach in 2008 and was part of the South African back room staff that masterminded a 2-1 series victory over the 2009 British & Irish Lions and a Tri Nations title later in the same year.
"This is an exciting challenge. Newcastle Falcons is a big club with big ambitions and an owner who is very determined so anything is possible," said Gold.
"I know a lot about the players and the traditions of the club so I am really looking forward to the challenge of keeping top-flight rugby in the North East."
Ford, a former head coach at Saracens, will join forces with Gold and Moriarty after spending five years as England defence coach. In that time he helped England reach the 2007 World Cup final and win the 2011 Six Nations. He was also the defence coach with the Lions in New Zealand in 2005.
Gold and Ford's first full game in charge is likely to be the Amlin Challenge Cup Pool 2 decider in Lyon on Saturday, 21 January.
