Merrill Maurice Forte (March 1, 1947 – February 26, 2021) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University from 1982 to 1987, Norfolk State University from 1999 to 2002 and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from 2004 to 2007. Forte compiled a career college football record of 57–90–1. Forte died on February 26, 2021, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.