LAPEER, Michigan – Lapeer Community Schools is excited to announce the selection of Tony Merlo as the new head football coach for the Lapeer High School (LHS) varsity football program. Merlo, a well-known teacher and coach in the District, spent last season as an assistant under Mike Smith, our hall of fame coach, who announced his retirement in November.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity to lead the Lapeer Lightning Football Program,” Merlo said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of maintaining our culture of winning football, and I’m confident that we will have the right people in place to ensure this program continues to shine.”

Merlo’s selection, from a pool of highly-qualified candidates, speaks to his leadership qualities as well as the outstanding contributions he has made to Lapeer Community Schools in his time with the District.

“Tony has had a tremendous impact on the athletic culture of our schools,” said Shad Spilski, LHS Director of Athletics. “We are confident he has the right skillset and overall approach to the game to continue our tradition of excellence on the field and in the classroom.”

Merlo, who lives in Lapeer with his wife and three children, has extensive coaching experience at the middle school, high school and college level. Prior to coming to Lapeer, he was the head football coach and athletic director at Genesee High School. He was also an assistant football coach at Stoney Creek High School, where he was named MHSFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020. 

Merlo played football at Alma College, graduated in 2010, and served as an assistant coach at Alma College from 2012-2014.

Merlo, in addition to his three seasons as an assistant coach on the track and field team at LHS, has also led the school’s fledgling video production program since 2022. In 2023, he was the driving force behind the Lapeer High School girls’ flag football team that finished its first season undefeated in the pilot program sponsored by the Detroit Lions. Merlo is also a member of the District’s Athletic Coaches Advisory Team (ACAT).

His selection comes at the end of a weeks-long process of deliberation, including multiple interviews with the District’s hiring committee and superintendent.

There will be opportunities in the near future for student-athletes, parents and the entire community to meet Coach Merlo and learn about his vision for Lapeer football.

For more information, contact Jared Field, LCS Director of Communications, at Jared.Field@Lapeerschools.org