Forman began his coaching career in 1981 as a graduate assistant at Utah State. The next season, he was named an assistant coach at College of the Desert for the 1982-1983 season, after which he served as the team's head coach for two seasons. In 1985, he was named an assistant coach at New Mexico State. In 1987, he became an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Cal Poly Pomona. In 1988, he returned to New Mexico State, where he served in the same position.[2]
His second tenure at New Mexico State became "scandalized"[3] when he was accused of directing staff to guide "potential transfers through sham correspondence courses at the notorious Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God (SCAG)". However, he was eventually cleared by the NCAA.[4][5]
In 1994, he joined Iowa State as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, a position he held until 1998.[2]
Chicago Bulls
Forman joined the Chicago Bulls as a scout in 1998. In 2004, he was named the team's Director of Player Personnel.[6] He was named general manager of the Bulls on May 21, 2009.[7]
As general manager, Forman supervised player personnel, coaching, scouting, training, and administration. During the summer of 2010, Forman led the charge to reload a Bulls squad after two consecutive .500 seasons and early playoff exits. On June 23, 2010, Forman named Tom Thibodeau the 18th head coach of the Chicago Bulls.[8]
During his tenure with the Bulls (as general manager, and previously as Director of Player Personnel), Forman oversaw the drafting of Taj Gibson (First Team All-Rookie 2010), Derrick Rose (NBA Rookie of the Year 2009 and 2011 MVP),[9]Kirk Hinrich (NBA All-Defense Team 2007),[10] and Ben Gordon (NBA Sixth Man of the Year 2005).[11]