Let me tell you something that feels like a paradox in today’s college football landscape: a brand-new Division II program is investing in a coach whose entire career has been shaped by one of the most scrutinized figures in the sport. Mark Snyder’s decision to bring Greg Forest on board at Shawnee State isn’t just about hiring a coach—it’s about planting a flag in the ground of a long-term vision that most people would dismiss as too ambitious for a program that won’t play its first game until 2028. And yet, here we are, watching a man who once worked alongside Brian Kelly build a foundation for a team that’s still years away from its debut. What does that say about the state of college football’s underdog programs? Let’s unpack this.
The allure of 'Brian Kelly alumni' has always been a double-edged sword. On one hand, they’re seen as blueprints for success—coaches who’ve navigated the chaos of major college football and emerged with national titles, NFL prospects, and a reputation for system-building. On the other, they’re often labeled as 'Kelly clones,' their identities overshadowed by the man who hired them. Greg Forest falls squarely into this category. He’s not just a name on a résumé; he’s a living case study of how to survive and thrive in the shadow of a football legend. And yet, when Snyder brought him on board, he wasn’t asking Forest to replicate Kelly’s playbook. He was asking him to do something far more radical: build a culture from nothing.
Let’s talk about what this means for Shawnee State. When you’re starting from zero, the most valuable asset isn’t a flashy recruiting class or a state-of-the-art facility. It’s someone who’s seen the inside of a winning program and knows how to translate that into something sustainable. Forest’s track record—coaching David Kircus at Grand Valley State, surviving the MAC with Kelly at Central Michigan, and wearing multiple hats at Cincinnati—shows he’s not just a technician. He’s a chameleon. He’s the kind of coach who can adapt to whatever system Snyder wants to build, whether it’s a pro-style offense or a spread attack. But more importantly, he’s someone who understands that coaching isn’t about plays; it’s about relationships. And that’s what Shawnee State needs most right now.
Here’s what many people don’t realize: D-II programs are the unsung heroes of college football’s ecosystem. They’re the ones who take risks, experiment with ideas, and often serve as incubators for coaches who later move up the ladder. But when you’re a small school with limited resources, hiring someone like Forest isn’t just about prestige—it’s about survival. Imagine being a player at Shawnee State in 2028. You’re not just learning a playbook; you’re learning from someone who’s been in the trenches with the best. That kind of exposure could be the difference between a mid-tier D-II program and a dynasty-in-the-making. And yet, the media will probably write this off as a 'hype move' until the Bears actually start winning. That’s the tragedy of underdog narratives—they’re only validated after the fact.
There’s also a deeper question here: Why is this happening now? Why is a coach with Forest’s pedigree choosing to start over in a program that’s essentially a blank canvas? The answer might lie in the shifting tides of college football. With NIL deals, transfer portals, and the ever-growing cost of major programs, even established coaches are looking for new challenges. For Forest, Shawnee State represents a chance to leave his mark on something that doesn’t yet exist. It’s a gamble, sure—but it’s also a statement. A statement that talent isn’t just about where you’ve been; it’s about where you’re willing to go.
What this really suggests is that the future of college football is being written in places no one expects. Shawnee State isn’t just another D-II team; it’s a microcosm of a larger trend—the idea that success isn’t always about size or budget, but about vision. And if Mark Snyder and Greg Forest can pull this off, they’ll prove that even the smallest programs can become the most influential. The real test won’t be in 2028, but in the years after. Because if they can build something that lasts, they’ll have rewritten the rules of what’s possible in college football.
