Talawanda High School's (THS) assistant football coach, Terry Merz, will be retiring at the end of this year's football season after 34 years of coaching.
Merz said that after 34 years of coaching, he feels it is time to retire.
"Merz is not just a football coach to these kids, he is also teaching them the game of life," said Chris Weaver, THS athletic director.
Merz has coached the past three consecutive seasons at Talawanda following a long career at such schools as Hamilton High School, Lakota West High School, Princeton High School and two previous years at Talawanda, Weaver said.
According to Mike Wright, head football coach for THS, Merz has been the defensive coordinator for THS for the past three years.
"He's obviously been a mentor to me," Wright said. "Him having 34 years of coaching experience, I've learned a tremendous amount from him about the X's and O's of the game."
Wright, who has worked with Merz for five years, said Merz has seen numerous changes over the past 34 years in the different philosophies of football. He said Merz has developed the ability to adjust with the changing times.
"He taught me to adjust my talent and put your guys in a position so they can be successful," Wright said.
Merz said that he has always enjoyed football and feels that it can teach a person so much about life.
According to Merz, his best memories of football are all of the relationships that he has made over the years with his players and his fellow teammates.
The Merz family is one that this community can be very proud of, according to Weaver, who explained that Merz's sons also work within the Talawanda School District. Justin, who is an assistant football coach, and Jason, who is the assistant principal at Talawanda High School, are both involved with the school and community.
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According to Weaver, Merz has been extremely valuable to Talawanda's football program and has always left a positive mark on the students he comes in contact with. He fortifies character and integrity and he is always very passionate about his coaching. Weaver expressed how fortunate Talawanda has been to have Merz as a coach.
Who will fill the position of assistant coach has not been determined yet as Weaver explained that he will sit down with Wright at the end of the season and evaluate the coaching staff. They will then determine what will be best for the team and school as a whole. They will then begin the decision making process necessary to filling the position.
"I am very grateful to have known Merz over the last two years that I have been athletic director," Weaver said. "He has had tremendous influence in the football program and the lives of many here at Talawanda, he will be missed greatly."
Wright said that Merz's retirement means the football team will be losing a lot of experience and it will be difficult to make up for the experience and intensity that Merz brings to the team.
Brad Bates, Miami University's athletic director, said that anytime a sports coach retires, there is going to be a disruption of continuity for the team.
"There is going to be a change," Bates said. "I don't know that you can put a value on the significant contributions that a coach has given to a team."
Bates said that while he has not had a lot of experience with Merz, he has been an admirer over the years of his coaching.
"The number of students he has influenced is very powerful," Bates said. "The impact that someone in that position has on students' lives is powerful."
As part of a commemorative ceremony, Wright said Merz was honored at the football banquet before the last THS football game in the seniors' ceremony.
Wright added that Merz's leaving would be difficult but that he believes Merz will not go very far.
"It was emotional last week," Wright said. "When I took over the job, he was the first person I called to get the program where we wanted it to be. I'm sure he's not going to go far. He'll be at the games, just not on the sidelines."
Merz said his final season was very good on a whole, and he saw improvement in the football team each week.
"Football has made me have a good work ethic on whatever I do," he said.
According to Merz, his time after retirement will be spent traveling and spending time with his wife-but football will always be important.
"Football is something that I will always enjoy," Merz said.
Additional reporting contributed by Allison Cole.
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