Lewis University Athletics

Dannie Merida enters his first season as a graduate assistant coach for the Flyers after spending last season as the Associate Head Coach at Lincoln College in Lincoln, Ill. While there, Merida helped design and run training sessions for the Lynx, while in charge of recruiting, scouting and the equipment budget.

Prior to his arrival at Lincoln, Merida has spent most of his coaching career in Florida, where he was the head coach for both Palmetto and Killian High School as well as the South Kendall Soccer Club. His 2008 Killian squad was ranked No. 2 in Florida and No. 8 in nation by ESPN.

Merida also has some professional playing experience as he earned a developmental contract with Municipal FC, a u-21 squad out of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Merida played one season at Elon in 2003, before transferring to Florida International, where the Panthers earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2004.

He owns a NSCAA Advance National Diploma, National Diploma and a Regional Diploma, as well as a USSF National D License.