While one former Nebraska football player has taken over the head coaching job in Lincoln from yet another former Cornhusker head coach, there is another former Husker who has been leading a program longer than either Scott Frost and Mickey Joseph combined. Until now, Mike Minter has been doing his thing in relative obscurity, but he’s about to get a taste of the spotlight when his Campbell Camels take on Deion Sanders and Jackson State on Saturday afternoon.
“Prime Time” of course is even more in the spotlight than usual thanks to the success he’s having in the SWAC. There are more than a few people who think he’s going to be offered a Power 5 head coaching job any minute. Of course, that’s not why Minter said he wants to face off against Sanders.
According to the Shelby Star, the reason the former Nebraska football and NFL star wants his Camels to take on the Tigers is that he feels a kind of brotherhood with Sanders because they are both former professional football players.
"“The brotherhood means everything,” Minter said. “We know what it takes to get to that level. So, we have respect for one another even though we might not know each other like that. We know what each other stands for because of what we were able to do.”"
Now the former Nebraska football star, who has led Campbell to a 4-2 start to the season is going to face off against a former Florida State star. That has a little special meaning as well, considering that the Huskers’ loss to the Seminoles the game that was almost Tom Osborne’s first national title still stings for Minter.
"“I remember it like it was yesterday,” Minter told the paper. “What that taught me was the sacrifice you must make in order to be a champion. They are not giving championship trophies out to anybody, so you have to be willing to sacrifice things to be a champion.”"
From the Nebraska Football team to the Campbell Fighting Camels
Minter has been at Campbell for a decade now and while the Fighting Camels have not been forged into an FCS powerhouse, it’s clear that the leadership at his school is impressed with the job the former Nebraska football star has done. This year, the team is off to its best start since 2019. It’s also currently in first place in the Big South.
It’s hard to argue that a win over Jackson State wouldn’t be an impressive one for Minter. The fact that it’s going to be on ESPN+ means that the former Nebraska football star could get some extra exposure.