Scott Merchant steps down from head coaching role with Lawrence Tech football

Posted by author February 17, 2025 Football

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Lawrence Tech football coach Scott Merchant has stepped down from the role, according to the school.

“We thank coach Merchant for his hard work and contributions to Lawrence Technological University and the Blue Devils football program,” said LTU director of athletics Mary Ann Meltzer. “We are grateful for his leadership and commitment to both the athletic and academic success of our student-athletes and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Offensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator Oscar Olejniczak has been elevated to the head coaching position, effective immediately, the school’s news release said. Olejniczak, who played at Central Michigan University in the 1990s, has 20 years of coaching experience at the college and preps level, most recently at Detroit U-D Jesuit and Royal Oak Shrine.

“Given his experience and success, we are excited to elevate coach Oleniczak to the position of head coach. We are fortunate to provide a seamless transition for our current and future student-athletes given Coach Olejniczak’s background and familiarity with our program,” Meltzer said.

The rest of the staff — which includes Kyle Nystrom (defensive coordinator), Chuck Bullough (LB), Ronald Talley (DL), Dillon Dixon (CB), Ra-mon Watkins (WR) and Tyler Washburn (TE/assistant OL) — will reportedly remain intact, as well.

The Blue Devils were 2-8 in Merchant’s lone season at the helm. He was hired in late December 2023, after a Hall of Fame prep coaching career at Chippewa Valley.

LTU, which reinstated athletics in 2017 after a 60-year hiatus, adding football in 2018, recently announced its 30-member signing class, with six players from Oakland County, and seven from Macomb County.