J. Merrill Blanchard

Jesse Merrill Blanchard (April 26, 1881 – April 3, 1914) was an American football player, coach of football, basketball, and baseball, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at The College of William & Mary (1904–1905, 1910), Washington University in St. Louis (1906–1907), and Whitman College (1908–1909).

Playing career
Blanchard played college football as a quarterback at Bowdoin College.

Coaching career
Blanchard was the first head coach of the William & Mary Tribe men's basketball team, in 1905–06. In the inaugural season of William & Mary's basketball program, Blanchard led the team to a 4–1 record. It was his first and last season with the Tribe despite the success. Blanchard also coached the William & Mary football team from 1904 to 1905 and again in 1910, compiling a record of 6–14–2.