Athletic Department
Athletic Director
Rusty Mercer was named as the interim Director of Athletics on November 1st, 2023, after serving as the assistant Athletic Director since the fall of 2018. Mercer also has been employed as a teacher and coach in Miami for the past 23 years, starting in 1997. Mercer is from Tulsa and graduated from Thomas Edison High School in 1987. After High School, Mercer attended NEO A&M College, earning an Associate’s of Arts degree in 1989. Mercer continued his education at Oklahoma State University where he earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, as well a minor in Physical Education.
Mercer has also had many coaching duties in his 25-year tenure that started in 1997 at Miami. He spent over 20 years as the Head Boys Basketball Coach. Mercer won numerous District titles, made numerous Area Playoff appearances, as well as guided the Wardogs to the 2003 4A State Basketball Tournament in Oklahoma City. Mercer is also currently the Dean of Students for the Junior High and High School, as well as the Head Boys and Girls Golf coach in the Spring. Other coaching duties Mercer has held at Miami include Head High School Girls Basketball Coach, Head Boys, and Girls Tennis Coach, Head Jr. High Baseball Coach, and Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach.
Prior to his tenure in Miami, Mercer coached at Welch High School from 1994 to 1997, where he was the Head Boys and Girls Basketball Coaches, Head Baseball Coach, and the Head Fast-Pitch Softball Coach.
Before his high school career started, Mercer worked for the NEO A&M Men’s Basketball program for 3 years, under Coach Larry Gipson. In addition, Mercer worked for the Oklahoma State Men’s Basketball program for 4 years, under Coach Eddie Sutton.
Along with his Admin role and coaching duties, Mercer has also been a classroom teacher, teaching various Social Studies courses.
Mercer and his wife Brandy have been married 30 years, they reside in Miami, and have two children, Caden and Cali.