Bernard James "Bus" Mertes (October 6, 1921 – January 17, 2002) was an American football player and coach.

[1] After leaving Kansas State following the 1959 season, Mertes became the 19th head football coach at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, serving for five seasons, from 1960 until 1964.

[2] After leaving Drake following the 1964 season, Mertes joined the Denver Broncos of the American Football League as an assistant coach.

After leaving the Denver Broncos, Mertes joined Bud Grant's coaching staff on the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.

He coached the running backs and special teams, working with players such as Bill Brown, Dave Osborn, Ed Marinaro, Chuck Foreman, Ted Brown, Darrin Nelson, Greg Coleman, and Fred Cox.