John Merritt
Head Coach, De Smet Jesuit High School (MO) - Class 6 De Smet Jesuit High School Spartans - Missouri - Class 6 State Champs 3 Years as Head Coach
About this speaker
Coach John Merritt began his career as an assistant coach at University City High School in 1993. After stops at Kirkwood and Priory he became the Head Coach at John Burroughs School in 2013. In 9 years at Burroughs Merritt claimed four district championships, 3 final four appearances and a Missouri Class 3 State Championship in 2015. In 2022 Merritt became the Head Coach at De Smet Jesuit and promptly led the Spartans to three consecutive district championships, three final four appearances, and a Missouri Class 6 State Championship in 2024.
In 2024 De Smet Football was named a “Team of Distinguished Academics” by the Missouri High School Athletic and Activities Association for maintaining a team GPA at the top level measured by the state. The Spartans also spearheaded a canned food drive that led to 30,000 pounds of food being donated to the St. Louis Area Food Bank.
In 2020 Coach Merritt completed his “Air Raid Certification” and is currently one of the top rated High School Air Raid Coaches in the nation. He has produced a string of five division 1 QB’s since 2013. In May 2025 Merritt will be inducted into the St. Louis Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
