Chris Forrest was approved as Frontier Community College’s first head men’s basketball coach during Tuesday’s September 15, 2026 Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees Meeting. Forrest joins FCC from Missouri Baptist University in Arnold, Missouri, where he served as associate head men’s basketball coach for the Spartans.
Forrest said the opportunity to establish a new program and help shape its future drew him to Frontier.
“What attracted me most was the opportunity to build something from the ground up. Being the first men’s basketball coach at Frontier gives me the opportunity to establish the culture, standards, and identity of the program from Day 1. I also really connected with Frontier’s focus on developing the whole student-athlete. I want to build a program that develops young men academically, athletically, and personally, while also becoming something the college and community can be proud of.”
Forrest’s path to coaching began after an injury ended his time playing basketball in Belgium, shifting his focus to coaching and player development.
“My coaching journey really started after an injury brought me back from playing in Belgium and led me into coaching and skill development. Since then, I have spent the past 15 years working with athletes both on and off the court. I’ve had the opportunity to spend seven years as a head high school coach and six years at the collegiate level, along with extensive experience in player development. Those experiences have allowed me to work with players from 5th grade to professional. Throughout that journey, I’ve developed a passion for building relationships, teaching the game, and helping young men reach their potential. This opportunity at Frontier feels like a great next step in that journey.”
Southern Illinois has a rich basketball tradition, and Frontier Community College Athletic Director Jeremy Ellis sees the addition of the sport as an important milestone for the college.
“The title alone says a lot about the position we are hiring: first ever! As we all know, southern Illinois is a basketball place. The idea of having basketball at Frontier is the next step in fulfilling the vision that Mr. Richard Mason had. The new gymnasium is also making it all come together.”
The search for Frontier’s first men’s basketball head coach attracted a strong pool of applicants from across the nation. Ellis said Forrest stood out for his commitment to community, emphasis on character and diverse coaching experience.
“The search process had many very well qualified applicants, from all over the nation. Chris stood out from the time we read his application and resume. He has a high value for community and character. He talked a lot about getting involved in the community and networking with local coaches. He also has a diverse background in coaching, from high school coaching accomplishments to working with individual players to previous experience in coaching at the college level. We are excited to announce him as our first ever Frontier Bobcats Men’s Basketball Coach!”
As Forrest begins building the Bobcats’ roster, his recruiting approach will consider both basketball talent and personal character.
“I look at the whole person. Obviously, basketball ability is important, but I also want to know who the young man is. I look for players who are honest, passionate, hardworking, coachable, competitive, and willing to be held accountable. Academics, athletic ability, personality, character, and program fit are all important parts of our evaluation. We are not going to lower our standards in the pursuit of winning. We want players who want to be developed and who want to be part of building something.”
Forrest also emphasized that academic success and preparation for life beyond basketball will be central to the program.
“Academics will be a major part of our program. We want to graduate our student-athletes and help them develop habits that will serve them long after basketball. Our goal is a 100% placement rate, with a team GPA of 3.2 or higher. Our coaching staff will be hands-on with academic accountability, building relationships with professors and making sure our players have the support and resources they need to be successful. We believe academics come before sport, and the habits you develop in the classroom carry over to the basketball court and into life.”
As Frontier prepares to launch men’s and women’s basketball in 2027, Ellis said Forrest’s knowledge of the game and focus on building relationships will help establish a strong foundation for the men’s program.
“Chris brings a wealth of knowledge for the game of basketball. He has talked about getting here and learning about Frontier, how it all works and making it a part of his program. We have talked about the importance of communication in all directions, with the faculty and staff on campus, to the area coaches, to incoming recruits, and maybe most importantly to the community. He has talked a lot about his philosophies as a coach and what he values in future players, and that was a strong point we liked about Chris.”
Forrest expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and his commitment to building a program that represents Frontier well.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity Frontier has given me. Being the first men’s basketball coach is something I don’t take lightly, and I understand the responsibility that comes with building this program. My goal is to create a program that develops young men, represents Frontier the right way, and becomes something our players, college, alumni, and community can be proud of. I’m excited to get to work.”
Ellis shared that enthusiasm as the college looks ahead to its first basketball season.
“I’m excited to see Frontier to continue to grow, not only athletically but as a campus. Having Chris join our staff is super exciting, and I can’t wait to see him coach that first ever basketball game in our new gym!”
https://fccbobcats.com/general/2026-27/releases/20260917iiiszu
