Merritt came to Howard in 2000 after building Mount Saint Mary's into a track and field power. In 12 years at Mount St. Mary's, Merritt's teams captured eight cross country, five indoor and seven outdoor Northeast Conference championships with several of his athletes earning Academic honors.

When Merrritt came to the Hilltop, Howard's track and field and cross country programs transitioned smoothly from one season to the next, continuing the legacy that he inherited from former Hall of Fame coach William Moultrie.

He was instrumental in training and developing Olympic bronze medalist David Oliver, as well as Lauren McNary and Landria Buckley.

"The legacy that Coach Merritt left is unparalleled," said Howard current head coach Marc Harrison. "He not only developed outstanding athletes to compete at a high level, he has helped develop them into leaders and productive individuals. Many of his athletes, both at Mount Saint Mary's and at Howard have gone on to do great things in their careers. I just hope that I can continue the great legacy that he left behind."

Oliver, three-MEAC champion in the 110-meter hurdles, won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Oliver was also a two-time NCAA All-American in the 60-meter and 110-meter hurdles, and qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic trials.

McNary won three MEAC championships in the 400 hurdles and was named to the 2005 USA Junior National track & field team. She qualified for the Pan American Junior Championships during her time at Howard.

Buckley was selected an NCAA All-American in the 100-meter hurdles and earned a berth at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.

In a decade at Howard, Merritt won three MEAC women's cross country championships (2002, 2003, 2005), coached three MEAC individual cross country champions and was named MEAC Coach of the Year once. He coached eight NCAA National qualifiers, 18 NCAA Regional qualifiers, 13 individual MEAC track & field champions, 104 All-MEAC track & field honorees and five USA Track & Field national qualifiers.