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ADMINISTRATORS SAY…
“Steve Merfeld is an outstanding
head coach who I would love the
opportunity to work with again.
He is a proven winner and leader of
young men. Steve had the courage and
passion to take on the enormous
challenge at Evansville, where the
university had publicly considered
dropping its program from Division I
to Division III immediately prior to
his arrival, and he restored a
strong foundation for future success
through his relentless drive and
passion for excellence. In
addition to his extraordinary
on-floor teaching and coaching
skills, Steve understands the big
picture and full responsibilities of
running a major college basketball
program. He was terrific in
the community - not only willing to
participate, but highly interested
and engaged, in every fundraising
and marketing initiative we
launched. And believe me -
that in itself was a nearly
full-time task. Most importantly, as
evident in the 100% graduation rate
he achieved at UE, Steve is all
about the student-athlete experience
and the personal development and
welfare of the young men in his
program. The guy
is everything an AD wants in terms
of trust, leadership, expertise,
experience, maturity and enthusiasm.
He will win big again and he will do
it the right way.”
- Bill McGillis, Former Director of
Athletics,
University of Evansville
and Current
Executive Assoc.
Athletic Director,
University of South Florida
"It was a
privilege to get to know Coach
Merfeld at Bradley University. From
the very first time I met him - when
he received a perfect score on the
NCAA Coaches Certification Test - it
was obvious he was a person of
dedication, character, and a true
passion for coaching. As a
professor, I enjoyed watching him in
his role as a teacher during
basketball camp, practice, and
games. His knowledge of the sport of
basketball is impressive, but more
importantly is his true love for
sharing this knowledge with his
players. Steve Merfeld's teaching is
not confined to the basketball court
either, as he positively influenced
and guided our student-athletes off
the court as well. It is apparent
that all those that came in contact
with him - players, athletic staff,
and other coaches - share my respect
for Coach Merfeld. I would love for
my son to play for Steve Merfeld…and
I cannot think of a higher
endorsement than that."
- Dr. Mitch
Griffin, NCAA Faculty Athletic
Representative, Bradley University
"I have known
Steve Merfeld for more than twenty
years and have worked directly with
him at Bowling Green and Bradley. He
is a consummate professional in
every sense of the word. He is a
tireless worker and has tremendous
knowledge of the game. He is a
"student" of the game.always reading
something , talking with mentors and
colleagues, always striving to
further enhance his abilities as a
teacher, coach and leader. Steve has
integrity and a passion for working
with young people. He values his
role as a teacher on the court but
also his role in helping to develop
and shape the lives of young men. He
is a tremendous coach but also more
importantly, an outstanding
individual."
- Virnette
House Browning,
Executive Athletic Director,
Bradley University
“Steve Merfeld personifies all the
ingredients one should desire in a
head coach. Quality experience,
knowledge of and passion for the
game, care for student-athletes and
integrity of your University. He is
a gentleman of impeccable moral
character. Winning to Steve goes
beyond the scoreboard results over
forty or so minutes, it is measured
in the number of young men that he
can help mentor well beyond their
playing careers cease. Likewise,
these numerous individuals that he
has assisted are a testament to the
overall “package” that Coach Merfeld
provides, in addition to his
conference championships and NCAA
Tournament moments.
- Ken Kavanagh, Former Director of
Athletics, Bradley University and
Current Director of Athletics,
Florida Gulf Coast University
“Steve Merfeld is a program builder
and a winner. He’s a coach who can
recruit outstanding athletes who are
also great citizens. He’s always
been able to make his programs
competitive, at any school and in
any conference he’s worked. In his
years at Evansville and at Bradley
in the Missouri Valley Conference,
he’s had a big impact on programs
with rich tradition. Merfeld is a
great competitor – he’s a motivator,
a teacher of the game, and someone
who always seems to get the most out
of his players. His teams have
always played tough, fundamental
basketball.”
- Doug Elgin, Commissioner,
Missouri
Valley Conference
“Steve Merfeld took Hampton University
to two consecutive NCAA D-I
tournaments and upset #2 seed Iowa
State in the 2001 Tournament.
Tremendous coach and even better
man; sincerely cares about student
athletes performance, education, and
total development; outstanding
recruiter and motivator. If I had
the opportunity I would hire Steve
again.”
- Dennis Thomas, Former Athletic
Director, Hampton University and
Current Commissioner,
Mid-Eastern
Athletic Conference
“It is my distinct pleasure to offer
my recommendation for Coach Steve
Merfeld, who served as an Assistant
Men’s Basketball Coach at Hampton
University in 1996, interim Head
Men’s Basketball Coach in 1997, and
Head Men’s basketball Coach from
1998-2002. During his tenure, the
Hampton University Men’s Basketball
team won two regular season MEAC
tournament Championships (co-champs
in 2000-2001), two MEAC Tournament
Championships, and in 2001 won in
the first round NCAA Division 1
playoffs. More personally, I have
always found Coach Merfeld to be a
very knowledgeable, diligent,
ethical, and competitive person. His
decision-making is guided by reason
and his actions are guided by
integrity. Steve has an overwhelming
determination and demonstrated
talent to succeed in athletics. I am
confident that he would be a
valuable member of your team and an
asset to your organization. I offer
my strong recommendation.”
- William R. Harvey, President,
Hampton University
“During his time as head coach at the
University of Evansville, I came to
know Steve as a strong leader, a
great mentor to
young men, and an individual with
great purpose and passion. I am
convinced that his personal
character qualities, coupled with
the breadth and depth of his
coaching experience, position him
well as a spirited and determined
head men’s basketball coach in a
competitive program and conference.
Off the court Steve was highly
regarded for his commitment to his
family and the thoughtful, caring,
and kind manner that he extended
himself to others.”
- Stephen G. Jennings, President,
University of Evansville
COACHES SAY…
“I have known Steve for over twenty
years. He is a quality coach with a
real passion for the game of
basketball. He is a relentless
worker and a man of high integrity.
As my assistant at Bowling Green,
his enthusiasm and knowledge of the
game helped us recruit talented
players, improve their basketball
skills, and increase community
support. Steve’s success at Hampton
was remarkable and unprecedented. He
took Hampton to two NCAA Tournaments
and beat the #2 seed, Iowa State.
That win remains one of the biggest
upsets in NCAA Tournament history.
The next year he nearly knocked off
national powerhouse UConn before
losing in overtime. His
ability to “X and O” is clearly a
strength but his ability to lead
young men is what separates him from
other coaches. I am confident in
saying that a school that hires
Steve to lead its basketball program
will be glad it did.”
- James L.
Larranaga, Head Basketball Coach,
George Mason University
“The statement
that I told Larry Eustachy is that
you can’t take them lightly, because
they have good players and they’re
not afraid to play on the road. They
have won 15 games away from home.
That is unheard of. That’s the type
of mental toughness that we are all
trying to install in our teams.”
- Jim
Wooldridge, Former Head Coach,
Kansas State University
“First thing: If
that’s a 15, what’s a 14 or a 13
look like? We had them put away
three, four times in the first half,
but there was no quit in them. I am
unbelievably impressed with them.”
- Jim Calhoun,
Head Basketball Coach,
University of Connecticut
WHAT PLAYERS
AND PARENTS SAY…
“Two things come to mind when I
think of Steve Merfeld: Character
and Integrity. If a person has those
two qualities they can motivate
others. Coach Merfeld gives you a
true evaluation of yourself. He has
a high basketball IQ and helps every
player develop that same mentality.
He helped me realize my abilities as
a player and as a person. I will
always cherish the relationship that
I have with Coach Merfeld”
- Antonio
Daniels, 12 Year NBA Veteran,
Bowling Green State University
“There are many
impressive characteristics about
Coach Merfeld. Coach has a great
ability to see a player who fits his
system and style of play and then go
out and recruit him the proper way.
He always has a plan. Most of all,
Coach Merfeld can take true freshman
and mold them into complete players
on the court and proper men off the
court. Coach knows how to push – and
how to give. I am just one of many
examples of success from Coach
Merfeld’s approach. Due to his
vision for my success off the court,
I graduated from Hampton with
honors, and I am still playing
professional basketball. I recommend
Coach Merfeld for any college that
wants a positive impact on its
basketball program and its players.”
- Tommy Adams,
2002 MEAC Player of the Year,
Hampton University
"Coach Merfeld was
an excellent leader and motivator.
He is very exceptional in adapting
his style of play to match the
strengths of his players. He always
put me in a position to succeed both
on and off the court."
- Clint Cuffle,
Two Time Academic All American,
University of Evansville
"Steve Merfeld was the only coach,
including AAU, high school, and
college, who was able to develop and
motivate my son to his fullest
potential. Lucious blossomed under
Coach Merfeld's leadership and
guidance. More important, my
relatively shy son evolved into a
more vocal and passionate leader on
and off the court. Steve is honest
with players and parents and builds
a family-type atmosphere with his
program and team. Most important, he
is a tough task master with the
players, yet caring, compassionate,
and concerned about developing each
into a responsible man. "
- Colonel
Dwayne Wagner, Parent of Player,
University of Evansville
MEDIA
MEMBERS SAY…
“You think little Hampton can’t get
to the big time? You’re about to be
wrong. Last year Hampton had three
fifth-year seniors leading the way
to the NCAA. This season, Hampton
had one senior, Tommy Adams, and a
bunch of guys who need ID. But they
went 17-1 in the MEAC, won 26 games
and got here anyway. Hampton has a
6’10 inside player and a 6’9 wingman
who will be eligible next season,
plus a top 25 recruiting class. If
you don’t know who coach Steve
Merfeld is by now, you should. The
big boys in Division I know how good
the Pirates are, which is why they
won’t play them. Hampton has two
open dates on next year’s schedule;
the Big East and Atlantic 10 schools
won’t return a phone call – you
know, bad for the RPI. But on
Thursday and Friday every year, the
big boys have no choice but to play
the Hamptons.”
- Michael
Wilbon, ESPN Pardon the Interruption
“What impressed me
more than anything was not that they
were once again able to achieve a
tremendous level of success, but
that they did so with drastically
different personnel and an entirely
new offensive system. Without last
year’s stars, Merfeld had to
completely change Hampton’s
offensive style of play. The way
Steve got his team to buy into
something brand new so quickly and
use it to dominate play the way
Hampton did in the MEAC was truly
one of the finest coaching jobs in
the entire country this year.
Anybody who watched Hampton play
knows that they are for real – not
just among mid-majors, but across
the board.”
- Joe Dwyer,
CollegeInsider.com
“The most
impressive thing about Steve
Merfeld’s teams is that they never
seem overwhelmed by the situation.
They are as prepared to play
Connecticut or Iowa State – both
mentally and physically – as they
are to play Coppin State or Morgan
State. At any level of basketball,
that may be the most difficult thing
for a coach to accomplish.”
- Mike DeCourcy,
The Sporting News
“Steve is one of
the best and brightest hidden gems
in the profession. What he’s done at
Hampton, turning the Pirates into a
known commodity in college
basketball, something that usually
isn’t done out of the MEAC. While he
may not have the national name,
athletic directors should do their
homework and hire him.”
- Andy Katz,
ESPN
“Hampton’s
practices this week, mirroring the
entire season, were clinical,
relaxed and efficient. Few raised
voices, no stirring speeches. The
Pirates, you see, are quietly
confident. They’re accustomed to
winning with postseason’s pressure.”
- David Teel,
Hampton Daily Press |