Gaels' Football Coach Names Four Assistants
3/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Moraga, CA (March 30) - Saint Mary's head football coach Tim Landis announced four additions to his coaching staff, bringing in three new coaches and retaining one former Saint Mary's assistant. New to the staff are Jeff Hammerschmidt, Trip Merritt and Steve Perry, while former Gael football player Eddie Ford has been retained.
"I'm thrilled overall with the staff I've been able to bring together here," commented Landis. "All of these guys have been very successful at different levels of football."
Hammerschmidt will become the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach after a two-year stint at Indiana University. With the Hoosiers, he coached the outside linebackers and special teams. Prior to his arrival in Bloomington, the 30-year Hammerschmidt was the defensive coordinator at Southern Utah for two years. He also spent the early part of the 1997 season as the Thunderbird's interim head coach.
Before joining the staff at Southern Utah, Hammerschmidt was the defensive backs coach at the University of Arizona from 1993-95. His secondary led the PAC-10 in pass efficiency defense in 1995. He first joined the Wildcats staff as a graduate assistant in 1992.
The San Diego native graduated from the University of Arizona in 1992 and was a two-time All-PAC 10 selection. After his senior campaign he was selected to play in the Japan Bowl and the Hula Bowl. He also played strong safety for the Los Angeles Rams during their 1991 training camp and for Frankfurt of the World League in 1992.
"Jeff Hammerschmidt was a standout at the Division I level and has coaching experience at the Division I-A and I-AA levels. He's a player's coach who is very energetic and will have a great rapport with the student-athletes on our team."
Merritt was the defensive coordinator under Landis at Davidson College and will serve as Assistant Head Coach and work with the linebackers. Davidson's Merritt-led defense finished the 1998 season ranked fourth in the nation (I-AA)in total defense, first in pass efficiency defense, second in scoring defense and 12th in rushing defense. Last year's defensive unit led the nation with 28 interceptions and ranked eighth in total defense, surrendering just 188 yards per game.
Prior to Davidson College, Merritt served two years as a graduate assistant at Western Carolina University, a I-AA program in Cullowhee, N.C. He also coached the secondary at Garinger High School in Charlotte, N.C. in 1990.
"Trip Merrit has a tremendous football mind. He brings a-lot to the table from a strategic and schematic standpoint and will be a great help to Jeff."
Perry joins the Saint Mary's staff to coach the defensive backs. He held the same title under Landis at Davidson College last year, in addition to coordinating the strength and conditioning program. He was instrumental in the development of All-American Ryan Crawford, who recorded eight of the nation's-best 28 interceptions. Merritt graduated from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in 1990.
"Steve did a great job with our secondary at Davidson. He's a great field coach and communicates well with his players."
New to the Tim Landis era at Saint Mary's, but no stranger to the Gael football program, is Eddie Ford. An assistant coach with the Gaels since 1996, the former Saint Mary's defensive back will coach the outside linebackers.
A three-year starter in the Saint Mary's secondary, Ford finished his career with 239 tackles, 24 pass deflections and three interceptions. In 1995, he ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 83 and recorded seven pass deflections, third on the squad.
"We are fortunate to have Eddie Ford come back to the staff. He is a vital link between the past and present of Gael football. It's going to be tremendously helpful to our entire staff to have Eddie on board."
Monday, June 01
Sunday, May 31
Sunday, May 31
Saturday, May 30
