UAPB Football: Chris Forestier Named Special Teams Coordinator/ Tight Ends Coach

PINE BLUFF, AR. – Chris Forestier has been named the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff program’s special teams coordinator/tight ends coach, head coach Alonzo Hampton announced.

Forestier comes to Golden Lions Nation from the University of Houston where he spent the last two years as the Special Teams Analyst and helped the Cougars finished as one of the top special team units in the Big 12 conference. He has ten years of coaching experience in the Southland, SEC, AAC, and Big XII Conferences while working in a special team position.

During his stint at the University of Houston, Forestier was responsible for coaching the specialist daily and assisting in game planning and the routine operations of the Special Teams Units. Under his guidance, the 2023 University of Houston’s Special Teams tied for 10th in NCAA in blocked Kicks and was 2nd in Big 12 with 3 Blocked Kicks. Kick-Off Return Specialist Matthew Golden scored the most touchdowns with 2 KOR and had a 35.7 KOR average, 1st in the Big 12 conference. Punt Returner Malik Fleming averaged 7.2 yards per Punt Return attempt, which ranked him seventh in the Big 12.

During the 2022 season, Forestiers served as a coach at the University of Houston. The Houston Punt returners ranked 1st in the AAC conference standings, with an average of 14.3 yards per return. The Kick returners also performed well and secured the 3rd position in the AAC conference. They even managed to tie for 1st in KOR for Touchdowns. Jayce Rodgers, with an average of 25.7 yards, ranked 2nd in AAC in KOR. The Cougar Punt Returners were at the top of the list with a 15 yards per attempt average in the ACC, while Return Specialist Tank Dell (3rd Round NFL draft Pick of the Houston Texans) was 1st in the NCAA and ACC with a 17 yards per return average and 1 PR for a touchdown. After the 2022 Season, Houston participated in the Radiance Independence Bowl.

Before coming to Houston, Forestier spent six years at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he was a part of the 2019 Undefeated National Championship team and five post-season Bowl games: the 2016 & 2017 Citrus Bowls, the 2018 Fiesta Bowl, and the 2019 CFP Semi-Final Game (Peach Bowl). After retiring Legendary Special Teams Coordinator and mentor Greg McMahon, Forestier was given the responsibility of being the Interim Special Teams Coordinator for the 2022 Texas Bowl.

Forestier began as a Special Teams assistant in the 2016 Season, working for Special Teams Coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto. During his tenure at LSU, two specialists were drafted to the NFL (Blake Ferguson—Miami & Cade York—Cleveland). Cole Tracy placed second for the Groza Award and KO Punt Specialist Avery Atkins was awarded the number 18 at LSU, becoming the first specialist to wear the Captain’s number.

Forestier has had a diverse work experience in the field of sports. Prior to his time at Louisiana State University, he worked as a graduate assistant at Northwestern State. During his tenure there, he was responsible for working with the Special Teams and Linebackers under the guidance of ST coordinator August Mangin during the 2014-15 seasons.

Forestier graduated from Louisiana State University, where he studied Sports Administration and received minors in coaching, business, and HRE. While studying at LSU, he also worked as a student equipment manager for the Tigers football team for three seasons. In his final year, he served as a head co-manager, supervising the equipment staff. During his time there, he was assigned to tight ends in his first season and special teams for his last two seasons. Furthermore, he worked for LSU’s player personnel department during the summer before joining Northwestern State.

Forestier attended Catholic High School in Baton Rouge from 2005-2009, where he played as a linebacker and fullback. He is the son of Craig and Pam Forestier.