Mike Minter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike Minter

Minter in October 2006
Current position
Title	Defensive analyst
Team	Western Michigan
Conference	MAC
Biographical details
Born	(1974-01-15) January 15, 1974 (age 51) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
1994–1996	Nebraska
1997–2006	Carolina Panthers
Position(s)	Safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2008–2010	First Assembly Christian
2011	Johnson C. Smith (AHC/ST)
2012	Liberty (ST)
2013–2023	Campbell
2024–present	Western Michigan (DA)
Head coaching record
Overall	49–66
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2× National (1994, 1995)
Awards
Second-team All-Big 12 (1996) Second-team All-Big Eight (1995)

Michael Christopher Minter (born January 15, 1974) is an American college football coach and a former football player. He works as a defensive analyst for Western Michigan University since 2024. Before that, he was the head football coach at Campbell University for eleven seasons. Minter also played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for ten years (1997-2006) with the Carolina Panthers. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Panthers picked him in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft.

Early Life and College Football Career

Mike Minter grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma. He went to Lawton High School. There, he was a star player in football and basketball. In football, he played as a running back and free safety. As a senior, he led the state in rushing yards with 1,589 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. He also scored about 21 points per game in basketball.

After high school, Minter went to the University of Nebraska. He was part of the football teams that won national championships in 1994 and 1995. In his first year, he didn't play much but still made 21 tackles. In his second year, he started strong but then got a knee injury. This injury kept him out for the rest of the season.

In 1995, Minter played a big role as the starting strong safety. His team won the national championship again. They were the first team in 40 years to win two championships in a row. He made 53 tackles and caught two interceptions. He was recognized as a second-team All-Big Eight player. In his final year, he played safety and then moved to linebacker. He had 51 tackles and five interceptions. He was named first-team All-Big 12.

Professional NFL Career

The Carolina Panthers picked Mike Minter in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft. He was the 56th player chosen overall. He quickly became a starter for the team in his first year. He stayed a starter until he retired. In his rookie season, he had 83 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

In 1998, Minter missed ten games because of a serious infection after knee surgery. After that, he started almost every game for the Panthers. In 2003, his team played in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. Minter had a great game, making 18 tackles. He even kept playing after breaking his left foot in the third quarter.

Minter played all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He made 790 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He also forced 15 fumbles and caught 15 interceptions. He holds a team record for 421 return yards from interceptions. He scored four defensive touchdowns, including two in 2003.

On August 7, 2007, Minter announced his retirement from the NFL. He decided to retire early because of ongoing problems with his knees. He retired holding team records for games started (141) and consecutive starts (94). He also had team records for fumble recoveries and interceptions that led to touchdowns.

NFL Career Statistics

Coaching Career and Other Interests

After his NFL career, Mike Minter became a football coach. He first coached for three seasons at First Assembly Christian School. There, he helped his team win two state championships.

In 2011, he worked as an assistant coach at Johnson C. Smith University. The next year, in January 2012, he became the special teams coach at Liberty University.

On November 26, 2012, Minter became the head football coach at Campbell University. This university is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. He coached there for eleven seasons. In 2024, he joined Western Michigan University as a defensive analyst.

Minter also thought about running for a political office in 2010. He considered running for the United States House of Representatives. However, he decided not to run.

Head Coaching Record at College Level