In 2023-24, helped lead McNeese State to a 30-4 (.882) overall and 17-1 (.944) Southland Conference record, the Southland Conference Regular Season Championship (first in 13 seasons), the Southland Conference Tournament Championship (first in 22 seasons), and an NCAA Tournament berth (first in 22 seasons) – helped rebuild a program that had finished 11-23 (.324) overall the season prior to the staff arrival, the largest turnaround in Division I history (+19 wins)

McNeese State’s scoring offense finished ranked 1st in the Southland in 2023-24

McNeese State’s scoring defense finished ranked 5th nationally in 2023-24

From 2021 to 2023, assisted Memphis to a 47-17 (.734) overall and 26-10 (.722) AAC record, two 22+ win seasons, as well as two NCAA Tournament berths

In 2022-23, helped lead Memphis to the first AAC Tournament Championship in program history (first conference tournament championship in 10 seasons)

In 2016-17, helped lead SMU to a 30-5 (.857) overall and 17-1 (.944) AAC record, AAC Regular Season Championship, AAC Tournament Championship, and NCAA Tournament berth

From 2013 to 2015, assisted Western Kentucky to a 40-24 (.625) overall and 24-12 (.667) Conference USA/Sun Belt Conference record, including consecutive 20+ win seasons

From 2008 to 2012, helped lead North Texas to a 84-46 (.646) record, four winning seasons, three 20+ win seasons, one Sun Belt Tournament Championship, and one NCAA Tournament berth

In 2008, was the Interim Head Coach at Arkansas State for the final three regular season games and the Sun Belt Conference Tournament

Has successfully recruited and coached several NBA draft picks, including Elfrid Payton (10th overall pick by the Orlando Magic in 2014) Tony Mitchell (37th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2013), Semi Ojeleye (37th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in 2017), Sterling Brown (46th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76’ers in 2017); Shake Milton (54th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018), and Ben Moore (undrafted – Indiana Pacers)

The all-time leading scorer in Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Division I history

Shawn has been a college coach for 22 years. In that time he has built numerous relationships with AAU coaches, high school coaches, scouts, recruiting analysts, agents and NBA personnel across the country, which established him to be one of the best assistant coaches and recruiters in the country. Shawn is a leader of young men and passionate about the relationships he still has with all the players he’s coached and recruited at every program he has coached.

10/8/20 – Southern Staff Stories: Men’s Basketball Assistant Shawn Forrest (Georgia Southern University)

4/20/20 – Men’s Basketball Coach Brian Burg Announces Coaching Staff Additions