Bio

RECRUITING AREAS: Florida (Dade County, Broward, Sarasota, Manatee), Rhode Island

Chris Merritt was named the fourth head coach in Bryant Football history on Dec. 20, 2018. 

The 2024 fall season will be Merritt's sixth as the head coach of the Black and Gold. In five seasons, Merritt has guided the Bulldogs to a 23-26 overall record, while producing 36 All-Conference selections, three All-Americans, one Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Year, one Big South Special Teams Player of the Year, one NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year and one NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year. Bryant's defense has seen a resurgence in Merritt's five seasons, ranking first nationally in total defense, fourth nationally in scoring defense and second in passing defense in the spring of 2021, while finishing in the top 30 of scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense in the fall of 2021. Bryant has also set records offensively, breaking the school record for total offense in 2022 and posting over 30 points per game in both 2021 and 2022.

In his fifth season, Merritt lead the Bulldogs to a 6-5 overall record and a Big South-OVC record of 4-2. Merritt now has a 23-26 season at the helm. Merritt helped the Black and Gold earn a Big South-OVC award, ten All-Conference members, three on the first team, six on the second team, and one named to the All-Academic team. The Bulldogs were top of the conference in passing yards, and tallied 383.8 ypg of total offense, recording 350+ yards of total offense for a thrid consecutive season, the first time in DI program history.

The 2022 season saw the Bulldogs go 4-7, losing five of its seven games on the final play of the game. Bryant played its first season in the Big South in 2022, going 2-3 in five games. The Bulldogs were one of the league's best offenses, setting a school record with 429.0 yards of total offense and 33.3 points per game, the second-most in school history. Bryant had three players - Joe Andreessen, Anthony Frederick, Ethan Gettman -- earn All-America honors, nine players earn All-Big South honors and four more earn All-New England honors. Frederick was also named the Big South Special Teams Player of the Year after leading the country in kick return average. Bryant also ranked eighth nationally in third down conversions and fourth nationally in passing yards. Zevi Eckhaus had another huge season under Merritt's watch, throwing for 3,228 yards and 26 touchdowns, setting a single season Bryant record with 3,393 yards of total offense.

Bryant enjoyed one of its best seasons at the DI level in the fall of 2021, going 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the NEC. The seven wins marked the most since 2015, while the five NEC wins tied the most in program history. The 2021 season also saw the Black and Gold play its first-ever game against a member of the FBS, falling 35-14 at Akron. For his efforts, Merritt was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, given annually to the top coach in the FCS.

Several Bulldogs shined in Merritt's system in 2021, with nine players earning All-NEC recognition. Freshman Zevi Eckhaus led the way, finishing fourth in the Jerry Rice Award voting and earning NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after throwing for 2,392 yards and 21 touchdowns. Eckhaus was the straw that stirred the drink for one of the league's most potent offenses. The Bulldogs scored 30.0 ppg to lead the NEC. Fabrice Mukendi, another rookie, set Bryant freshman records for rushing yards (652) and touchdowns (nine). Defensively, Bryant placed three players on the All-NEC First Team; Jack Daly, Ryan Saddler and Joe Andreessen. 

Merritt and his staff led the Bulldogs to a 2-2 record during a pandemic-shortened spring 2021 season. Bryant won two of its first three games to set up a showdown with Duquesne for a spot in the NEC Championship. Bryant finished the year ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense, scoring defense, passing defense, third-down defense and first downs allowed. Chidi Nna was named the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year and four others earned All-NEC honors. 

The 2019 season was Merritt's first as the head coach of the Bulldogs. Merritt guided the Black and Gold to a second-half surge in his first year, winning four of his final seven games to finish the year at 4-8 overall. Bryant featured four All-NEC selections in his first season and produced some of the best defensive numbers in DI program history. Bryant allowed 23.4 points per game in NEC play, its lowest since 2015 and its third lowest in 11 years in the league. The Bulldogs also excelled in the redzone, finishing first in the NEC at 87 percent (20-for-23). 

Merritt comes to Smithfield after spending 18 years as the head coach at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. He posted an overall record 172-45 (.792), leading the Explorers to two state finals appearances (2014, 2018), five Regional Championships, 14 District Championships and an 80-4 record in district competition in the largest high school classification in the state of Florida. In addition, Merritt's program has produced over 100 collegiate football players in 18 seasons, including current Bryant offensive linemen Kyle Mann and Robert Perez and 2016 alum Brandon Dagnesses.  

"We are very excited to welcome Chris Merritt to Bryant as our next head football coach," Smith said. "Chris is a proven winner that has developed Christopher Columbus into one of the top football programs in the state of Florida. He has won 14 district championships in 18 years, while also developing over 100 student-athletes that have gone on to play college football. His intensity and commitment to student-athlete development are the perfect fit for our Bulldog program."

"As we celebrate our 20^th season of Bryant football, we are thrilled to have such a successful coach start the next phase of our football program," Machtley said. "Chris has a vast track record of ensuring that he recruits scholar-athletes who can both compete in the classroom and on the field at the highest level.  His values and experience are a great fit to ensure that we maintain our momentum of a growing national reputation."

Throughout his career at Columbus, Merritt received several recognitions for his accomplishments on the field. He was inducted into the Columbus High School Hall of Fame in 2018, named the Nike Coach of the Year in 2005, the Miami Herald Coach of the Year in 2014 and the Warren Henry South Coach of the Year in 2017.

During his time at Columbus, Merritt also worked heavily with USA Football, serving as the head coach of the Junior National Team in 2010 and as the defensive and offensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012, respectively. He also served as the defensive backs coach on the gold-medal winning U.S. U-19 National Team at the IFAF World Championships in 2009.

"First, I want to say how honored and humbled I am to be named the head football coach at Bryant University," Merritt said. "I want to say thank you to President Machtley and Athletic Director Bill Smith for the opportunity to lead the football program at a first-class academic and athletic institution. I'd also like to thank Columbus High School, specifically Br. Kevin Handibode and Dave Pugh for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the Marist Columbus Community for the past 18 seasons.

"I'm extremely excited to hit the road recruiting and to begin work with these young men to develop a culture of success. It is my number one goal at Bryant University for every young man in our program to Expect to Win!"

Merritt also served as the head coach of the Hamburg Blue Devils in the German Football League. He guided the Blue Devils to a 48-9-1 record (.936), a pair of European Championships, a national championship and three-straight Charity Bowl Championships. Merritt is the franchises all-time leaders in wins and winning percentage.

Bryant will be Merritt's third collegiate coaching stop. He served as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Thiel College prior to his time at Columbus and spent two years as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University in 1993-94.

Merritt was a four-year letterwinner as a free safety and special teams captain at Indiana University from 1988-92. He began his career as a walk-on before earning a full scholarship and competing in three bowl games.

Merritt is married to Minnie and together they have five children, Megan Merritt, Ryan Merritt, Shannon Merritt, Allison Catala, and Robert Catala.