Merriman played NCAA Division I soccer with the University of Denver Pioneers.

[1] His senior career included stints with Boulder Rapids Reserve, Victoria Highlanders FC, and Colorado Lightning.

James Merriman was hired as an assistant coach under Michael Silberbauer for the inaugural season of Pacific FC and the Canadian Premier League.

[5] Ahead of the 2020 season, Pacific hired Pa-Modou Kah as the new head coach and retained Merriman as his assistant.

Following the season, Kah departed the club to manage North Texas SC and Merriman was named as Pacific's new head coach.