Merrill Maurice Forte (March 1, 1947 – February 26, 2021) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University from 1982 to 1987, Norfolk State University from 1999 to 2002 and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from 2004 to 2007. Forte compiled a career college football record of 57–90–1.

Mo Forte
Biographical details
Born(1947-03-01)March 1, 1947
Hannibal, Missouri, U.S.
DiedFebruary 26, 2021(2021-02-26) (aged 73)
Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Playing career
1966–1968Minnesota
Position(s)Running back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1970–1975Minnesota (RB)
1976–1977Duke (WR)
1978–1979Michigan State (WR/TE)
1980–1981Arizona State (WR)
1982–1987North Carolina A&T
1988–1992Denver Broncos (RB)
1993–1994Denver Broncos (WR)
1995–1996Detroit Lions (RB)
1999–2002Norfolk State
2004–2007Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Head coaching record
Overall57–90–1
Tournaments0–1 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 MEAC (1986)
1 SWAC West Division (2006)
Awards
MEAC Coach of the Year (1986)

Forte died on February 26, 2021, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.[1]

Head coaching record

edit

Football

edit
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NCAA#
North Carolina A&T Aggies (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (1982–1987)
1982 North Carolina A&T 2–8 0–5 6th
1983 North Carolina A&T 3–7–1 1–3 T–3rd
1984 North Carolina A&T 2–8 1–3 4th
1985 North Carolina A&T 6–5 1–3 4th
1986 North Carolina A&T 9–3 4–1 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 20
1987 North Carolina A&T 3–8 1–4 5th
North Carolina A&T: 25–39–1
Norfolk State Spartans (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (1999–2002)
1999 Norfolk State 2–9 1–7 8th
2000 Norfolk State 3–8 2–6 T–7th
2001 Norfolk State 5–6 3–5 T–6th
2002 Norfolk State 5–6 2–6 T–7th
Norfolk State: 15–29 8–24
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (2004–2007)
2004 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 6–3 5–2 2nd (West)
2005 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 3–8 3–6 T–3rd (West)
2006 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 8–4 7–2 1st (West)
2007 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 0–7[n 1] 0–5[n 1] 4th (West)
Arkansas–Pine Bluff: 17–22 15–15
Total: 57–90–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Notes

edit
  1. ^ a b Arkansas–Pine Bluff finished the 2007 season with a 4–7 overall record and a 4–5 mark in conference place, but was forced in 2014 to vacate all four wins.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ "MERRILL "MO"'S OBITUARY". February 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Public Infractions Decision" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. November 5, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2017.