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