Kansas City Chiefs Coach David Merritt Arrested Ahead of NFL Draft
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach David Merritt was arrested Wednesday night in Overland Park, Kansas, and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery.
Merritt, 54, was booked into the Johnson County jail after police responded to an incident involving a family member. Prosecutors accused Merritt of knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm. He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday afternoon.
The Chiefs said they are aware of the arrest but declined further comment.
David Merritt Allegations: What to Know
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the Johnson County District Attorney's Office filed a complaint against David Lee Merritt Sr., 54, of Stillwell, Kansas, accusing him of knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm to a daughter, a charge that constitutes a domestic violence offense under state law, court records show.
David Merritt’s Football Background
Merritt has spent nearly three decades in professional football, building a career as both a player and long‑time NFL assistant coach. A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Merritt played college football at North Carolina State, where he earned first‑team All‑Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a linebacker. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL draft and also played for the Arizona Cardinals during a brief professional career before transitioning into coaching.
Merritt began his coaching career at the college level before joining the New York Jets in 2001 as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach. He later spent 14 seasons with the New York Giants, working his way into the secondary and safeties coach role and winning two Super Bowl titles with the franchise.
After a one‑season stint as defensive backs coach with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, Merritt joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. In that role, he has helped oversee the development of the Chiefs' secondary during a period of sustained success that includes multiple Super Bowl championships.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 11:14 AM.