Merritt Bowden – Assistant Defense and Special Teams Coach
Some people have a more interesting route to the CFL than others. Merritt Bowden certainly qualifies as someone who took the road less travelled.
The Jemison, Alabama native was an All-American baseball player at Jacksonville State and was a part of two Division-II National Championship teams. He played some minor league baseball before scouting in the Atlanta Braves organization.
Along with that impressive baseball background, Bowden has been coaching football for almost three decades, mostly at the high-school level in the southern United States.
He was a graduate assistant coach for Auburn University when they went 13-0 in 2004.
Bowden coached with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for three seasons, most recently in 2018 as their defensive line coach.
COACHING CAREER
2020: Toronto Argonauts, Defensive and Special Teams Assistant Coach
2018: Saskatchewan Roughriders, Defensive Line Coach
2017: Saskatchewan Roughriders, Linebackers Coach, Special Teams Assistant Coach
2016: Saskatchewan Roughriders, Special Teams Assistant Coach
2015: Thompson High School, Special Teams Coach
2013-14: Hoover High School, Defensive Backs Coach
2011-12: Jemison High School, Head Coach.
2009-10: Oak Mountain High School, Defensive Coordinator, Assistant Head Coach
2004-05: Auburn University, Defensive Assistant Coach
2003: Thorsby High School, Head Coach
1998-2000: Thorsby High School, Head Coach
1996-97: Jemison High School, Head Coach
1994-1995: Isabella High School, Defensive Coordinator and Strength Coach