John Ayers Merritt (January 26, 1926 – December 13, 1983) was a head football coach at Jackson State University and Tennessee State University. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.He was born in Falmouth, Kentucky, and is an alumnus of Kentucky State University, wherehe played offensive guard on the football team from 1947-1949. He earned the nickname "Big John".