Jeff Merk Named Director of Football Operations

March 5, 2001

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Jeff Merk, Director of Facilities for the University of Miami Athletic Department, has been named UM’s Director of Football Operations, UM head football coach Larry Coker announced today. Merk replaces Pete Garcia, who resigned recently to take a job on the staff of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Merk, 30, will primarily serve as the chief liaison for the head football coach. But his other duties will involve overseeing coordination of all academic issues relating to football recruiting, assuring compliance with all NCAA regulations, serving as the academic liaison for the football coaching staff, directing UM’s football camp, and coordinating UM’s football coaches’ clinic. Merk assumes the job after serving one year as Miami’s Director of Facilities, a role in which he was responsible for all athletic facility operations while assisting with football operations.

A native of Manson, Iowa, Merk came to UM in 2000 after three years with the Orange Bowl Committee in Miami. Merk was the Orange Bowl’s Director of Events in 1999-2000 after serving two years as Operations Manager from 1997-99. Merk also worked at UM from 1993-97 as a staff assistant in the football office.

A graduate of the University of South Dakota, Merk received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1993.