Player Bio: Tripp Merritt - BUCKNELL OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Tripp Merritt

	Position: Assoc. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
	Experience: Second Season

Tripp Merritt, a longtime confidant of Tim Landis, joined the Bison football staff in 2003 as the team's associate head coach and defensive coordinator.

Merritt has been a valuable aide to Landis for the last 11 years and a member of the Division I-AA coaching ranks for the last 13 seasons.

In his first season with the Orange and Blue, Merritt's defensive unit ranked seventh in the nation with 20 interceptions as well as 12th nationally with 33 forced turnovers. Merritt has an experienced defense returning in 2004, led by All-Patriot League linebacker Kevin Ransome.

Prior to coming to Bucknell, Merritt worked under Landis for the previous three seasons at St. Mary's and the previous seven at Davidson College. In his first two seasons at St. Mary's, Merritt coached the Gaels' linebackers, and in 2002 he served as assistant head coach while mentoring the team's offensive line. His linemen helped pave the way for the nation's fourth-leading rushing attack.

At Davidson, Merritt coordinated one of Division I-AA's stingiest defenses. His troops finished the 1998 season ranked fourth nationally in total defense, first in pass efficiency defense, second in scoring defense and 12th in rushing defense. His 1999 unit led the nation with 28 interceptions and ranked 13th in rushing defense.

In 1994, Merritt's Wildcat defense ranked fourth in total defense, and that same year he served as interim head coach of the Zaragoza Lions of the Spanish Professional League.

Prior to joining Landis at Davidson, Merritt spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Western Carolina University. Merritt is a native of Shelby, N.C., and a 1990 graduate of UNC Charlotte.