From seventh-round pick to five-time Super Bowl-winning coach
Merritt rose from seventh-round draft pick to five-time Super Bowl-winning NFL coach.
Event / Security
Dave Merritt Domestic Battery Charge
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was arrested on April 22, 2026, and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Court documents indicate he allegedly caused bodily harm to his daughter. Merritt pleaded not guilty and was released on $2,500 bond with conditions including no alcohol, drugs, firearms, or contact with the alleged victim.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Apr, 00:37 UTC
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What happened
Dave Merritt charged with misdemeanor domestic battery involving daughter
The Johnson County District Attorney's Office filed a criminal complaint against David Lee Merritt Sr. accusing him of unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily harm to a daughter, constituting a class B misdemeanor domestic violence offense. The alleged incident involved a family member or person in a dating relationship.
Merritt drafted by Miami Dolphins in 1993 as seventh-round pick
Dave Merritt was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He had a brief NFL playing career as a linebacker before transitioning into coaching.
Merritt pleads not guilty to domestic battery charge in court appearance
Dave Merritt made his court appearance via Zoom on Thursday, April 23, 2026, wearing an orange jumpsuit. A public defender entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Johnson County District Judge Wayne Smith set a $2,500 personal recognizance bond with conditions including no alcohol, drugs, or firearms, and no contact with the alleged victim. Merritt bonded out after the hearing.
Merritt won five Super Bowls as a coach with Chiefs and Giants
Dave Merritt has won five Super Bowls during his coaching career: three championships with the Kansas City Chiefs and two with the New York Giants, helping establish himself as one of the best defensive backs coaches in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs organization aware of arrest, declines to comment
A spokesman for the Kansas City Chiefs stated that the organization was aware of Dave Merritt's arrest and had no comment at the time of the charges being filed.
Next court hearing scheduled for June 24, 2026
Dave Merritt's next court date in the domestic battery case is scheduled for June 24, 2026. He is permitted to attend this hearing virtually if needed.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt arrested on domestic battery charge
Dave Merritt, 54, the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, was arrested by Overland Park police at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and booked into the Johnson County jail around 10:25 p.m. The arrest occurred one day before the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dave Merritt has been with Kansas City Chiefs since 2019
Dave Merritt, 54, has served as the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs for seven seasons, beginning in 2019. He has 29 seasons of experience in the NFL, including a four-year playing career as a linebacker. Prior to joining the Chiefs, he held coaching positions with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Jets.
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Chiefs defensive backs coach Merritt faces domestic battery charge
Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt charged with domestic battery; pleads not guilty; court hearing scheduled June 2026.