Devin Merritt joined the Averett University football coaching staff as an assistant in January 2021. Merritt '20, who played four seasons for the Cougars, will coach the running backs.
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A native of Nutley, New Jersey, Merritt played linebacker and defensive line for Averett. He played in 26 varsity contests over his final three years after missing most of his first season due to injury. In his final season, he made 27 tackles, including 12 solo, and ranked third on the team with nine tackles for loss. He also had 5.5 sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries in 2019. Merritt had one season of eligibility left because of the medical hardship his first season, but elected to begin his coaching career early and served as a student coach during the fall 2020 season.
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Off the field, Merritt earned USA South Academic All-Conference honors multiple times and was a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society. Merritt was actively involved on campus as the Averett Student Government Association class president from 2017-20, a past officer of Averett’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a past vice president of the National Society of Leadership and Success at Averett and a past resident assistant in addition to other organizations. He and his SGA officers received the 2020 Mary Jo Davis Award.
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Coaching runs in the family for Merritt. His father David Merritt is a defensive backs coach with the Kansas City Chiefs and has won three Super Bowl titles throughout his coaching career — including two with the New York Giants and most recently one last season with the Chiefs.
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Merritt graduated with his bachelor’s degree with a major in management science and a double minor in coaching and African American literature from Averett in December 2020. He is pursuing his master of business administration from Averett.
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