Josh Merkel is in his sixth season working with head coach Jeff Neubauer. He has helped the Colonels tally at least 10 conference victories in each of the last five years, including the 2006-07 season when EKU reached the 20-win plateau and earned a spot in the 2007 NCAA tournament.
In addition to his coaching and recruiting responsibilities, Merkel has served as the director of the Jeff Neubauer Basketball Camp and College Prospects Camp. He has also served as the academic coordinator and scheduling liaison.
“Josh works as hard as anyone I know,” coach Neubauer said. “His attitude will go a long way in helping us find success.”
Prior to arriving at EKU, Merkel spent the 2004-05 season with Neubauer at West Virginia. Merkel served as a graduate assistant coach for the Mountaineer team that made a run to the 2005 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight and ended the year ranked 12th nationally.
While at West Virginia, Merkel assisted the coaching staff in scouting, recruiting, on-campus visits, film exchange and monitored the players’ academic progress.
Merkel began his coaching career at his high school alma mater, St. John’s Prospect Hall in Frederick, Md. There he served as the head junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach from 2001-04.
A native of Walkersville, Md., Merkel is a 2001 graduate of Salisbury University with a degree in business administration. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Sea Gulls and concluded his collegiate career ranking fourth in career three-pointers made with 186. He was also a member of the Capital Athletic Conference All-Academic team from 1998-01.
Merkel earned his master’s degree in physical education from EKU in 2007.
Coaching Experience
West Virginia (Graduate Assistant Coach, 2004-05)
Eastern Kentucky (Assistant Coach, 2005-present)
