The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Chris Forestier is expected to step away from his HBCU coaching role to become the Special Assistant to the Head Coach of one of the most recognizable brands in college football, Steve Sarkisian and the University of Texas Longhorns.
UAPB hired Forestier in March of 2024 to lead the Golden Lion’s special teams unit and tight ends group after a two-year stint at the University of Houston where he was the Special Teams Analyst and helped the Cougars to finish as one of the top special team units in the Big 12 conference.
His role included daily coaching of the specialist, assisting in game planning and the routine operations of the special team’s units. All of which helped the Cougars to a top-10 ranking in the nation in blocked kicks last season.
The Cougars special teams unit had two kickoff returns for touchdowns and three blocked kicks in 2023. Matthew Golden, a former Houston Cougar turned Texas Longhorn was responsible for both of those return touchdowns and will now be reunited with his coordinator in Austin, Texas for the 2024 season.
Before coaching at Houston, Forestier spent six years at his alma mater Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, where he was a part of the 2019 Undefeated National Championship team and five post-season Bowl games.
Chris Forestier is the first special assistant hire that head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns have made this offseason after losing all three of their special assistants from last year.
While his stint with HBCU football only lasted for one spring ball session, Chris Forestier happens to be joining the University of Texas football family at a good time. The Longhorns boasted a 12-2 record last season, made their first College Football Playoff appearance, and won their first Big 12 championship since 2009.