The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly in discussions with Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt for the vacant defensive coordinator position, as revealed by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Merritt, aged 52, has been with the Chiefs since 2019, contributing to the development of defensive backs such as Charvarius Ward, Juan Thornhill, L’Jarius Sneed, Rashad Fenton, Trent McDuffie, Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, and Chamarri Conner.
Prior to his tenure in Kansas City, Merritt held coaching positions with the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals. A former NFL linebacker drafted in the seventh round in 1993, Merritt played in the league from 1993 to 1995.
In early January, Merritt addressed the prospect of a defensive coordinator role, emphasizing his commitment to family. He stated, “One of the things that my wife Yolanda and I spoke about decades ago was that, no matter what, I wasn’t going to pursue any type of coordinator job while my kids were young.” Merritt expressed the importance of being present for his children’s activities and games, prioritizing family over career aspirations.
When asked about the possibility of taking on a coordinator position, Merritt highlighted the value of years of service over monetary gains. He emphasized the strong bonds he has formed with his players throughout his coaching career and the reluctance to sacrifice those connections for a higher-ranking role.
Merritt shared details about his family, revealing that he has children aged 33, 27, 25, 17, and 15. He humorously mentioned that after an eight-year gap, he and his wife welcomed two more children, currently in high school. The timeline for considering a coordinator position may have accelerated due to the right opportunity arising for Merritt.
