Anthony Rouzier brings a wide range of coaching experience to the Merrimack College football program. A former Division I linebacker with coaching stops at the high school, college, and international levels, Rouzier has built a reputation for recruiting and developing players, elevating programs, and fostering academic and athletic success.

Before joining Merrimack, Rouzier coached at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, part of the Trinity League—perennially regarded as the most competitive high school football league in the country. He was hired as the linebackers coach, promoted to defensive coordinator, then elevated to interim head coach before being named head coach. Over five seasons as head coach, he coached 6 All-Americans and advanced 25 players to Division I scholarships. His players went on to sign at notable programs such as Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, USC, Washington, UCLA, Stanford, Nebraska, Miami, Utah, Boise State, Army, Navy, Holy Cross, Princeton, and more. His leadership elevated the program to its highest average state ranking in school history, while his teams also achieved an average GPA of 3.5, and he raised more than $2.5 million in program funding. During this time, Rouzier also gained valuable experience guiding players and families through the emerging Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape, helping prepare them for opportunities at the next level.

Rouzier also brings international experience from the German Football League, where he was hired as defensive coordinator for the Hamburg Huskies, promoted to interim head coach, and later named head coach. At the college level, he served as a Graduate Assistant at UMass, working with linebackers, defensive backs, and special teams. He also gained experience as the outside linebackers coach at Winston-Salem State and served as the defensive coordinator at Amherst High School. While completing his dual JD/MBA program at Florida International University, he worked with the football team, further developing his knowledge of program operations and player development.

Rouzier played linebacker at the University of Massachusetts from 2006 to 2009, where he was part of two conference championship teams and a 2006 National Finalist. He also earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Academic Team honors in 2007 and 2008. He began his college career at the University of Connecticut as an inside linebacker, where he became the first-ever true freshman walk-on to start in the school’s Division I era. Over his playing career, he competed for Randy Edsall at UConn and Don Brown at UMass, later working under Mark Whipple at UMass.

Rouzier earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism, graduating cum laude from UMass Amherst. He later completed a dual JD/MBA at Florida International University, where he was recognized with the Community Service Award in the College of Law for his work beyond the classroom.

A faith-driven Christian man, Rouzier’s mission is to help develop players to reach their full potential—not just as athletes, but as students, leaders, and men prepared to succeed in life. His commitment to education, character, and service directly reflects Merrimack’s mission of developing the whole student-athlete—mind, body, and spirit—through academics, community, and competition.

Originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, Rouzier grew up around the game—his father served as the team doctor for UMass Football for 25 years. Now back on the East Coast, he is excited to bring his experience and energy to Merrimack, and to continue building student-athletes who thrive in the classroom, the community, and on the field.
Rouzier is married to Elwira, and they are the parents of three children: Junior, Victoria, and Estelle.