As initially reported here last week, multiple sources close to the situation have confirmed to Ridge Writer that football coach Mo Forte has been released by Arkansas-Pine Bluff just one year after taking the Golden Lions to the SWAC Championship Game.

An announcement from the university is expected today.

UPDATE (Nov 19/12:37 p.m.): Our source tells us that defensive coordinator Monte Coleman will be named interim head coach in a few hours.

UPDATE 2 (Nov 19/3:01 p.m.): Ridge Writer broke the story, and now it has come to pass.  Monte Coleman will be the next head coach of the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.  Associated Press story on the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

The Ridge Writer first brought you news yesterday of a possible change in Mo Forte’s status as head coach of the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.  This morning, things look bleak for the forth year coach.

The Pine Bluff Commercial cites unidentified sources in reporting that Forte will be fired on Monday and the remaining one year in his contract will be bought out for $120,000.  This comes just one year removed from his 8-4 season that saw him take the Golden Lions to the SWAC Championship Game.

UAPB officials have declined to comment on Mo’s status until after today’s game against Texas Southern.  Texas Southern is winless on the season, so a win by the Lions seems likely.  The Golden Lions are currently 3-7 on the year with several close loses, including a three-point loss to New Mexico State of the Division I Bowl Subdivision.

The Ridge Writer thinks Forte is a good fit for UAPB and thinks they should at least give him next season.  We’ll see in the next few days.

[Hit the picture for related story.]

Rumors are rampant around southeast Arkansas that Mo Forte, the head coach of the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision’s Southwest Athletic Conference, will be canned following his final game this season.

Just a year ago, Forte went 8-4 and led the Golden Lions to the SWAC Championship Game for the first time in school history. This season the Lions have struggled, going 3-7 with one game remaining to play.

That 3-7 record this season? It includes four losses of seven points or less, including a three-point loss to New Mexico State of the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Give those tight loses to the Lions, and suddenly, Forte is 7-3.

The Ridge Writer thinks firing Forte would be a big mistake.