‘I truly feel blessed’: Stanislaus football coaching legend steps down after 200-plus wins
For the first time since the 1999 offseason, there is an open spot as Oakdale High School football’s head coach.
Coaching legend Trent Merzon, who took over the program in 2000 after serving as offensive coordinator under head coach Marc Malone, decided 2022 was his last season at the helm.
Merzon, a 1985 Oakdale graduate, finished his 23-year head coaching career with a record of 225-62-1. According to CalHiSports.com, his winning percentage of 78.3 is one of the highest in Northern California history among coaches with 200 wins or more. He led the Mustangs to 12 section title games, winning four championships.
It is a decision Merzon said he has thought and prayed about.
“I’ve known all year,” he said. “A couple years ago, I had this year circled. I wasn’t locked in, but I had a good idea. This was the year I targeted.
“I’m in a great place. This decision hasn’t come without heavy prayer.”
Merzon took over the program in 2000 after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator in 1998 and 1999. It was his first head coaching job. He also served as baseball coach for a decade.
“I had great role models,” Merzon said. “(Coach Malone) was a great influence for me.
“I have a crazy level of respect for the people that walked this path before me, and all I’ve ever wanted to do is make them proud of the job that I’ve done.”
While a successor has not officially been named, Merzon said the program is “locked in on staying internal.” He said he will continue to teach in the physical education department and plans to help around the football program as much as he is needed.
“The success of this program is crazy important to me even after I leave it,” Merzon said. “I inherited a program that was on the right track with great coaches and I wanted to leave it better. We’ve done some great things, but I want this success to continue.”
Merzon’s decision was rooted in family. In his retirement from coaching, he is looking forward to spending more time with his son, Mick, whom he coached through his high school football career, his daughter, Morgan, or “Mo,” a sophomore softball player, and his wife, Spring, who has been on the journey with him.
“A major part of it is (Mick) is leaving and wherever he ends up going to school and playing, I want to be able to enjoy some of that stuff,” Merzon said. “My daughter is a sophomore and she needs my attention. Getting the opportunity to just be a dad and be a husband … I’m looking forward to it.”
During Merzon’s 25 years in the Oakdale football program, the Mustangs averaged 10 wins per season. In his final season, he led the team to a 6-5 record and another playoff appearance. Oakdale fell to Roseville 28-21 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs. While it is known he loves the competition of football, not even a season-ending loss could push Merzon back onto the sidelines full time.
“When you’re a high school football coach and you’re a good team, you’re going to lose your last game,” Merzon said. “That’s how it’s designed — you keep playing until you lose. To me, the journey is the reward.
“I truly feel blessed to have had this job. I’m grateful to the district and the people who have allowed me to do what I love and to chase my passion. I truly feel like I’m the one that needs to be tremendously grateful for everything I’ve been given.”
This story was originally published December 6, 2022 at 12:46 PM.
