BUIES CREEK – Former Carolina Panthers standout and Nebraska Football Hall of Famer Mike Minter has been named head football coach at Campbell University.
Minter, a member of two national championship teams at Nebraska and the Panthers’ 2003 Super Bowl squad, joins the Fighting Camel program after serving as assistant coach at Liberty University in 2012 and Johnson C. Smith University in 2011. He also brings head coaching experience from First Assembly Christian School in Concord, where he guided his teams to 33 victories and two state titles in three seasons.
“I am excited to be the next head football coach at Campbell University,” said Minter. “My family and I are looking forward to being part of the Campbell family. I would like to thank President Dr. Jerry Wallace and Athletic Director Bob Roller for the opportunity to take the Campbell football program to the next level. I am grateful for the chance to lead these young men and to help develop them into champions on and off the field.”
During his 10-year NFL career, Minter earned a starting safety role six games into his rookie year in 1997, and held that position until he retired after the 2006 season. A second-round draft choice, he helped lead the Panthers to three playoff trips, the 2003 NFC Championship and a berth in Super Bowl XXXVII.
In the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, Minter suffered a broken left foot in the third quarter, but remained in the game and collected a career-high 18 tackles. At the time of his retirement, he held Panthers franchise records for starts (141), consecutive starts (94), fumble recoveries (11) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (4).
“Mike’s spirit, passion and will to win were evident to me from our very first conversation,” said Roller. “I am convinced that Campbell University and Camel football is about to experience a transformational change, and it will be exciting to watch our student body, alumni and fans get on board.”
At Liberty, Minter worked as special teams coordinator/assistant defensive coach under head coach Turner Gill. He mentored three 2012 Big South all-conference performers in long snapper Richard Wright, place kicker John Lunsford and punter Grant Bowden.
Liberty finished the regular season ranked No. 4 in the country in kickoff return yardage defense, allowing only 14.04 yards per return. The Flames also finished 38th nationally in kickoff returns (21.3 yards).
In addition to his on-field coaching responsibilities at Liberty, Minter was involved in many aspects of the Flames operation. He helped run the scout team in practice, served as liaison with the athletic training and weight room staffs, and reviewed team members’ academic achievement weekly with the Associate A.D. for Academic Affairs.
His primary recruiting territories focused on North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.
“Campbell University is pleased to welcome Mike Minter as our new head football coach,” said Dr. Wallace. “Coach Minter brings a wealth of college and NFL playing and coaching experience. He’s passionate about the game and using his innate leadership abilities to take Campbell’s program to the next level. We could not be more pleased to welcome Coach Minter and his family to Campbell University.”
During his time at Johnson C. Smith, Minter helped the Golden Bulls dramatically improve in many phases of the game. Under his guidance as assistant head coach, defensive passing game coordinator and special teams coordinator, JCSU ranked fifth in the nation in punt return yardage in 2011.
The Golden Bulls also finished the season with 24 turnovers caused (which tripled the previous year’s total) and won Pioneer Bowl XIII 35-33 over Miles College for the program’s first-ever bowl victory.
Minter was a two-time national champion at Nebraska (1994 and 1995) where he played linebacker, free safety and strong safety for the Cornhuskers. He was a three-time all-conference performer and was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2006. He graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
Born Jan. 15, 1974, in Cleveland, Ohio, Minter led the State of Oklahoma in rushing yards (1,589) as a senior at Lawton High School in 1991. He was an all-state performer, National Honor Society member and also averaged 21 points per game on the Lawton basketball team.
In addition to playing and coaching football, Minter is CEO of Minter Enterprises, a multi-faceted business impacting real estate development, general contracting and construction, business consultation, publishing, public speaking engagements and a non-profit organization focused on youth development.
Minter and his wife Kim have four children – Michael Jr., Isaiah, McKenna and Brianna.