NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame member and five-time bowl winner Tom Minnick joined Highland Community College as its head coach in . Minnick brings a wealth of experience to the Scotties, including a strong familiarity with the KJCCC.
Most recently, Minnick served as the head coach for Garden City Community College. During his five-year stint with the Broncbusters, he assembled a 28-13 (19-7 KJCCC) record, including a 53-34 win in the 2021 Scooter's Coffee Bowl over Navarro College.
Prior to joining Garden City, Minnick had a stellar 11-year tenure at Arizona Western, earning six Western States Football League championships and three bowl wins. His only season without a bowl appearance was his debut campaign in 2008, with his final El Toro Bowl win coming against the same college squad he made his playing and coaching debuts with. After compiling an 87-23 overall record and a 64-15 mark for the Matadors, the school was forced to cease sponsorship of football due to external factors.
Minnick spent two years at College of DuPage as quarterback in 1986 and 1987, helping the Chaparrals to a 1986 RC Cola Bowl win over Iowa Central before committing to the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he threw for more than 1,500 yards for the Miners.
After graduating, he immediately returned to DuPage as an assistant coach, helping the Chaps to seven consecutive Midwest Bowl appearances, with four wins - 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995. Following a one-year stint as a high school assistant coach, Minnick transitioned to Joliet Junior College, serving as head coach for the final two years of his ten-year tenure. He led the Wolves to Midwest Football Conference titles in both 2006 and 2007, including a win in the 2007 Graphic Edge Bowl.
