A former Golden Eagle player and now a trusted member of the coaching staff, Steve Merriwether returns for his fourth season with the men’s soccer program at Cal State LA. He helped the Golden Eagles reach the NCAA playoffs for a fifth straight season in 2015 and a record an overall record of 12-5-3.
In 2014, Merriwether helped the Golden Eagles to a record-breaking season that saw Cal State LA feature one of the top defenses and goalkeeper in the nation. The Golden Eagles led the nation in goals against average and save percentage and goalkeeper Mike Beigarten earned first-team All-America honors. Cal State LA had an overall record of 15-4-2 and won its second NCAA Division II West Region title in the past four years. The Golden Eagles finished the season ranked No. 6 in the nation, which was their best end-of-the-season ranking since 1992.
In Merriwether’s first three years with the program, Cal State LA has a 41-11-10 record with the West Region title in 2014 and a California Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 2013.
Before coaching at Cal State LA, Merriwether was an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams at L.A. Harbor College from 2008-11. He assisted with goalkeeper training, recruitment, the management of student-athletes’ eligibility and off-season training. He helped the men’s program reach the JC State playoffs each year and helped the women’s program to its first winning record in 2010.
He also has high-school coaching experience as an assistant coach at Palos Verdes High School and a head coach at Peninsula High School.
Merriwether is also currently a coach for the Sand and Surf Soccer Club, where he is the Goalkeeping Director. He has experience as a head coach for ages 8-17.
Merriwether earned his bachelor’s degree in communications at Cal State LA. He also has earned his USSF National A Coaching License in 2014 and his NSCAA Level 1 GK Coaching License in 2009.
Merriwether completed his college eligibility with Cal State LA in 2007. He also appeared in six games with four starts for Division I Cal State Bakersfield in 2006 and earned All-Conference and All-America honors at L.A. Harbor College. He was a three-time team MVP at Redondo Union High School.
