RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head men's basketball coach Brandon Chambers announced on Monday the hiring of Shawn Forrest, who has over 25 years collegiate coaching experience, including two seasons at McNeese, as associate head coach. 
 
Forrest spent the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons at McNeese where he helped the Cowboys to a 58-11 record, the most wins in a two-year span in program history, a 36-2 Southland Conference (SLC) record, two SLC regular and tournament championships, and the program's first ever NCAA Tournament win against No. 5 Clemson in 2025. 
 
In his two seasons at McNeese, Forrest helped guide Shahada Wells and Javohn Garcia to back-to-back SLC Players of the Year and saw Christian Shumate earn back-to-back SLC Defensive Player of the Year honors. 
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Shawn Forrest to our coaching staff and to the Valley," Chambers said. "Shawn brings an extensive resume with valuable experience and a championship pedigree. Shawn and I worked alongside each other at McNeese, and I cannot put into words how excited I am to work alongside him again. As my associate head coach, he will be heavily involved in all aspects of the UTRGV men's basketball program."
 
"Shawn is a tremendous relationship builder and will have a major impact on our recruiting efforts but is also a proven winner that brings with him a wealth of basketball knowledge that will be relied upon as we continue to build UTRGV into a championship program," Chambers said. "More importantly, Shawn has a relentless commitment to winning championships for UTRGV on and off the court. While at McNeese, I was able to see first-hand the passion and dedication that he had for our student-athletes and preparing them for future success in life."
 
Prior to his time at McNeese, Forrest spent two seasons (2021-23) at Memphis as the assistant to the head coach under Penny Hardaway. Throughout his tenure at Memphis, Forrest was part of the staff that helped the Tigers to 48 wins, including 26 at home and 26 conference wins, an American Conference Tournament Championship, and two trips to the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I'm very excited to join the UTRGV family," Forrest said. "I'm extremely thankful and grateful to Coach Chambers, our Athletic Director Chasse Conque, and UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey. UTRGV is a special place and the support from the community is unbelievable. I look forward to helping Coach Chambers set new records and elevate this program to an elite level and championship contender."
 
Before arriving at Memphis, Forrest spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern helping the Eagles to 13 wins while ranking fourth in the Sun Belt in scoring defense, first in turnovers force, and third in steals. 
 
Before his time at Georgia Southern, Forrest spent three seasons (2016-19) at SMU, where he helped the Mustangs to a 30-5 record in 2016-17, including an 18-0 record at home, while winning the American regular-season and tournament titles and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. 
 
Throughout his tenure at SMU, Forrest was instrumental in the development of NBA draft picks Semi Ojeleye, Sterling Brown, and Shake Milton.
 
Prior to joining SMU, Forrest spent three seasons at Western Kentucky (2013-16) helping the Hilltoppers to consecutive 20-win seasons and guided George Fant and T.J. Price finish near the top of several program categories. 
 
Before his time at Western Kentucky, Forrest spent the 2012-13 season at Louisiana-Lafayette where he helped the Ragin' Cajuns to the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament while guiding Elfrid Payton, who was selected 10^th in the 2014 NBA Draft, to First Team All-Conference honors.
 
Forrest spent four seasons (2008-12) as an assistant coach at North Texas helping the Mean Grean to four-straight 20-plus win seasons while helping the program win the 2010 Sun Belt Tournament earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Forrest also had a hand in the development of NBA Draft Selection Tony Mitchell. 
 
Before his time at North Texas, Forrest spent six season (2002-08) at Arkansas State where he helped the program to multiple top-100 recruiting classes. Forrest spent the 2001-02 season at Florida A&M where he helped the Rattlers to a fourth-place finish in the MEAC, which was the highest finish for the program in 10 years. 
 
Forrest got his coaching career started as a graduate assistant at Troy for three seasons (1998-01) where he worked with the guards and assisted in recruiting, academics and travel. Forrest helped the Trojans to two regular-season Atlantic Sun championships, one tournament title, one NCAA Tournament appearance, and one NIT appearance. 
 
Forrest graduated from Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 1998 where he finished his career as the all-tie leading scorer. 
 
Forrest and his wife, Renea, have three daughters, Abri, Aaliyah, and Alyssa. 

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