Chandler Merkerson | Head Coach
Chandler Merkerson returned to Titletown as head coach on April 20, 2024. She begins her first season at the helm of the Lady Blazers in 2024-25.
"I am elated to be joining Blaze nation as the next head women's basketball coach," Merkerson said. "I am so thankful to VSU President Dr. Richard Carvajal, Mr. Herb Reinhard and the entire athletic administration for affording me this incredible opportunity. Valdosta State is a place that is special to me – giving me a shot early in my career and I'm glad to be back. I'm excited to get started and continue the winning tradition that has already been established for many years."
Merkerson was on staff for the Lady Blazers under head coach Carley Kuhns from 2017-2019, helping lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen in 2018 and a Gulf South Conference runner-up finish in 2019. Merkerson coached five All-GSC selections, including three who were named first team, along with a Division II All-America honoree.
"I could not be more proud, excited, and joyful for this next opportunity for Chandler," Kuhns, a 2015 VSU Athletic Hall of Fame member, said. "I'm positive that her preparation, tenacity and giant heart will make her successful. For a program I care so deeply about, it could not be in better hands. Blazer Nation, help welcome her back with open arms and be ready for a fun ride."
Following the 2019 season, Kuhns was named head coach at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and Merkerson was an assistant coach there for four seasons. Merkerson helped lead the team to Southern Conference regular season titles in 2020 and 2021, as well as a tournament title in 2020 and a WNIT appearance in 2021. While at Samford, Merkerson coached three first team All-SoCon selections, three second team all-league honorees and three all-freshman members. She also assisted in mentoring a two-time SoCon Player of the Year.
"I am elated to have Chandler join our athletic department team," Reinhard said. "I was impressed with her work as part of our women's basketball staff when she was here with Carley, and I have watched as she has continued to grow professionally at Samford and North Florida. Our Lady Blazers will play an exciting brand of basketball under her watch. Chandler's passion for Valdosta State is absolutely real, and I truly believe she will be very successful in building upon the outstanding foundation of success that our previous Lady Blazer coaches have created."
In 2022, she was selected as a WBCA Thirty Under 30 honoree, which recognizes 30 of the top up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and under in the sport at all levels of the game. She was also named Assistant Coach of the Year that same season by the Samford Athletic Department.
After her four years at Samford, Merkerson returned to her alma mater at the University of North Florida as the associate head coach for the 2023-24 season under head coach Erika Lambert.
A native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Merkerson played at UNF under head coach Mary Tappmeyer from 2010-2014, where she competed in 84 games, including 46 starts over the last two seasons. She graduated from UNF with her Bachelor of Science degree in sports management.
Merkerson began her coaching career as a graduate assist at Lincoln Memorial from 2014-2016, where she earned her master's degree in business administration. Merkerson then had her first assistant position at Truett McConnell for one season where she helped set new program records for wins in a season (15), conference wins (11) and longest home winning streak (6).