Mo Forte facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1947 Hannibal, Missouri |
| Died | February 26, 2021 (aged 73) Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
| Playing career | |
| 1966–1968 | Minnesota |
| Position(s) | Running back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1970–1975 | Minnesota (RB) |
| 1976–1977 | Duke (WR) |
| 1978–1979 | Michigan State (WR/TE) |
| 1980–1981 | Arizona State (WR) |
| 1982–1987 | North Carolina A&T |
| 1988–1992 | Denver Broncos (RB) |
| 1993–1994 | Denver Broncos (WR) |
| 1995–1996 | Detroit Lions (RB) |
| 1999–2002 | Norfolk State |
| 2004–2007 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 57–90–1 |
| Tournaments | 0–1 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 MEAC (1986) 1 SWAC West Division (2006) |
|
| Awards | |
| MEAC Coach of the Year (1986) | |
Merrill Maurice Forte (March 1, 1947 – February 26, 2021), known as Mo Forte, was an American football player and a very successful coach. He led college football teams for many years. Mo Forte was the head coach at three different universities during his career.
He coached at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University from 1982 to 1987. Later, he coached the Norfolk State University team from 1999 to 2002. His last head coaching job was at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from 2004 to 2007. Overall, his college coaching record was 57 wins, 90 losses, and 1 tie.
Contents
Mo Forte's Playing Career
Mo Forte started his football journey as a player. He played as a Running back for the Minnesota Golden Gophers from 1966 to 1968. This experience helped him understand the game from a player's perspective, which was useful later in his coaching career.
Coaching College Teams
Mo Forte spent many years coaching college football teams. He was known for helping players improve and for leading his teams to important victories.
North Carolina A&T Aggies (1982–1987)
Mo Forte became the head coach for the North Carolina A&T Aggies in 1982. He worked hard to build up the team. His best year with the Aggies was in 1986. That year, his team had an impressive record of 9 wins and only 3 losses. They won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship! This was a big achievement, and Mo Forte was named the MEAC Coach of the Year for his excellent leadership.
Norfolk State Spartans (1999–2002)
After coaching in the NFL, Mo Forte returned to college football. He took over as head coach for the Norfolk State Spartans in 1999. During his four years there, he continued to develop young players. His team showed steady improvement, with their best record being 5 wins and 6 losses in both 2001 and 2002.
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions (2004–2007)
Mo Forte's final head coaching role was with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He coached the Golden Lions from 2004 to 2007. In 2006, he led them to another championship, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) West Division title. This showed his ability to guide teams to success in different conferences.
Coaching in the NFL
Besides his college coaching, Mo Forte also coached in the National Football League (NFL). He worked with two professional teams:
- Denver Broncos (1988–1994): He coached running backs and wide receivers for the Broncos.
- Detroit Lions (1995–1996): He coached running backs for the Lions.
Coaching in the NFL meant working with some of the best football players in the world. This experience added to his deep knowledge of the game.
Legacy and Impact
Mo Forte was a respected figure in football. He helped many young athletes grow as players and as people. His career showed his dedication to the sport, both as a player and as a coach. He passed away on February 26, 2021, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
