 Mertes in 1947 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1921-10-06)October 6, 1921 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 17, 2002(2002-01-17) (aged 80) St. Louis Park, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1941 | Iowa |
| 1942–1944 | Iowa Pre-Flight |
| 1945 | Chicago Cardinals |
| 1946 | Los Angeles Dons |
| 1947–1949 | Baltimore Colts |
| 1949 | New York Giants |
| Position | Running back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1950 | Bradley (backfield) |
| 1951–1952 | Bradley |
| 1953–1954 | Kansas State (backfield) |
| 1955–1959 | Kansas State |
| 1960–1964 | Drake |
| 1965–1966 | Denver Broncos (assistant) |
| 1967–1984 | Minnesota Vikings (assistant) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 50–63–1 |
Bernard James "Bus"Mertes (October 6, 1921 – January 17, 2002) was an Americanfootball player and coach. He playedcollege football at theUniversity of Iowa and professionally in theNational Football League (NFL) and theAll-America Football Conference (AAFC) with theChicago Cardinals,Los Angeles Dons,Baltimore Colts, andNew York Giants. Mertes served as the head football coach atBradley University from 1951 to 1952, atKansas State University from 1955 to 1959, and atDrake University from 1960 to 1964, compiling a career college football coaching record of 50–63–1.
Mertes was the 24th head football coach atKansas State University inManhattan, Kansas, and he held that position for five seasons, from 1955 until 1959. His record at Kansas State was 15–34–1.[1]
After leaving Kansas State following the 1959 season, Mertes became the 19th head football coach atDrake University inDes Moines, Iowa, serving for five seasons, from 1960 until 1964. His record at Drake was 27–19.[2]
After leaving Drake following the 1964 season, Mertes joined theDenver Broncos of theAmerican Football League as an assistant coach. He coached with Denver for two seasons.
After leaving the Denver Broncos, Mertes joinedBud Grant's coaching staff on theMinnesota Vikings of the NFL. He coached the running backs and special teams, working with players such asBill Brown,Dave Osborn,Ed Marinaro,Chuck Foreman,Ted Brown,Darrin Nelson,Greg Coleman, andFred Cox. As an assistant with the Vikings from 1967 to 1984, he coached in fourSuper Bowls.
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley Braves(Missouri Valley Conference)(1951) | |||||||||
| 1951 | Bradley | 4–5 | 0–3 | 7th | |||||
| Bradley Braves(Independent)(1952) | |||||||||
| 1952 | Bradley | 4–5 | |||||||
| Bradley: | 8–10 | 0–3 | |||||||
| Kansas State(Big Seven / Big Eight Conference)(1955–1957) | |||||||||
| 1955 | Kansas State | 4–6 | 3–3 | T–3rd | |||||
| 1956 | Kansas State | 3–7 | 2–4 | T–5th | |||||
| 1957 | Kansas State | 3–6–1 | 2–4 | T–5th | |||||
| 1958 | Kansas State | 3–7 | 2–4 | 5th | |||||
| 1959 | Kansas State | 2–8 | 1–5 | 7th | |||||
| Kansas State: | 15–34–1 | 10–20 | |||||||
| Drake Bulldogs(NCAA College Division independent)(1960–1964) | |||||||||
| 1960 | Drake | 4–5 | |||||||
| 1961 | Drake | 5–4 | |||||||
| 1962 | Drake | 8–2 | |||||||
| 1963 | Drake | 4–4 | |||||||
| 1964 | Drake | 6–4 | |||||||
| Drake: | 27–19 | ||||||||
| Total: | 50–63–1 | ||||||||