Meerman steps down as coach at Catholic Central; ‘It was a tough decision’

T.J. Meerman coached Grand Rapids Catholic Central for 11 years, building one of the most dominant boys basketball programs in the state. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - T.J. Meerman has always looked at his basketball players as part of his family.

But the time commitments of coaching had kept him away from his own family. So Meerman decided to step down as the longtime boys basketball coach at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School.

“It was a tough decision,” Meerman said. “But I feel it is the right one for now as being a head coach the way we did it at CC is a year-round commitment. I have loved all of my time at CC. The school was there for me in the best of moments, and also the best support network nine years ago when our dad (Jim Meerman) passed away from cancer.” 

T.J. Meerman played college basketball at Central Michigan University. He began his prep coaching career at Catholic Central in 2013. Since then, he’s led the Cougars to one of the most dominant programs in the state. They won eight conference titles, six district titles and three appearances in the state championship game. They won it all in 2021. He also coached some elite players, including 2024 Michigan Mr. Basketball, Durral Brooks. He also got to coach his nephew Carter Meerman for the past four years.

But a new job and missing his own kids games was just too much for Meerman.

“I took a job (last year) leading a new nonprofit in town called The Village99,” he said. “We specialize in providing educational and extracurricular activities for kids, food, housing, healthcare, and mental health services to low-income families in West Michigan. Helping run this program and also not wanting to miss our two kids' activities played the biggest part in me stepping down. Last year I missed almost every basketball game our daughter played.”

He said he hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching in high school. But his priority is coaching his 10 year old daughter and 12-year old son.

“I'm young enough and I love the game,” he said. “But coaching my 4th and 7th grader and being there for their games and dance recitals is taking priority.”