Wisconsin Football Coaches Association

Mike is a 1983 graduate of DeForest Area High School where he earned first team All-Conference Honors in football, basketball and baseball. He played for WFCA Hall of Fame Coach, Jerry Roelke, on the 1982 State Championship Football Team as a tight end and defensive back. Following high school, Mike went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a teaching degree in physical education and health. In 2000, he earned his Master’s degree in sports administration from UW-LaCrosse. Mike started his teaching and coaching career in 1989 at New London High School in Wisconsin where he was an assistant football, basketball and baseball coach.

In 1993, Minick returned to his alma mater to continue his teaching and coaching career. Mike taught physical education/health and was a high school assistant football and baseball coach and middle school basketball coach. After seven years as an assistant football coach at DeForest, Minick succeeded Jerry Roelke as the DeForest Norskies’ head coach in 2000. Over his 20-year career, Mike guided DeForest to the post-season in 18 of his 20 seasons with three Badger North Conference titles, earning shares in 2009 and 2014 and winning the league crown outright in 2019. In 2007, Mike led the Norskies to the State Runner-Up in Division 2 and in 2019, to a Division 3 State Championship. Mike ended his career with an overall record of 153-66, including 94-34 in conference play and an all-time winning percentage of 69.8.

In 2019, Mike was honored as the WFCA/Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Year. He also earned Badger Conference Coach of the Year awards in 2007, 2011 and 2019. Mike was selected as 2020 Educator of the Year by the Olson-Grinde-O’Donnell Post 348. Mike was an assistant coach for the WFCA All-Star Games in 2000 and 2010.

Mike is married to Shelly and has four children, Molly (Karson), Brett (Dana), McKenna and Breely. He also has two granddaughters.

Minick credits his players, assistant coaches, support staff and community members at DeForest High School for the success the DeForest Football Program has had.