They hail from Michigan, Florida and Texas, but for a few weeks this summer Canton, Ohio, will be home to Jeremy Gold, Chris Merritt and Allen Wilson. The three successful high school coaches have the formidable task of gearing up USA Football's Junior National Team defense to take on the world at the 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship.
Gold, head coach at Ann Arbor (Mich.) Pioneer, knows a thing or two about how a defense should operate - the Ypsilanti, Mich., native was a linebacker at Central Michigan University. Now the former Chippewa will serve as the defensive line coach for Team USA in the inaugural event.
Gold will have a much shorter distance to travel than Merritt, the head coach at Miami Christopher Columbus. Merritt is the only coach on the staff of 10 to have any international experience, so he will certainly bring a unique perspective to the group as the defensive backs coach for the Junior National Team.
Along with defensive coordinator Steve Specht, Dallas Carter head coach Allen Wilson rounds out the defensive coaches for Team USA. A head coach for three decades, Wilson will bring his expertise to Canton as the team's linebackers coach.
Take a look at what Gold, Merritt and Wilson had to say about teaching their respective position - defensive line, defensive back and linebacker - to a youth football player.
