Tiffany Minnick returns as Head Spirit Squad Coach

Garden City, KS-The gameday atmosphere will feel a little different this fall thanks in large part to the return of Tiffany Minnick, who was named Head Spirit Squad Coach on Monday. 

"Tiffany is as experienced as anyone in the country," Director of Athletics, Mike Pilosof said. "She did an amazing job the first time around setting the program up for success for years to come, and we are so thankful she is back."

Minnick was hired in 2019 before moving back to Arizona in 2020. Before that, she spent 11 years as the spirit coach at Arizona Western. Originally when she arrived in Yuma, she was asked to merely assist the spirit squad and dance teams. But that changed quickly when she was named the interim coach in the spring of 2009. Once she was put in charge, the roster nearly tripled in size.

"Tiffany is a top-notch recruitier, and I have no doubt that she will get this program back to where it once was," Pilosof added. 

Minnick is certified through the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators and the National Federation of State High School Associations. In addition, she has her college coaching certificate.

While leading the Arizona Western program, Minnick was put in charge of fundraising, joining a group effort that spearheaded donations for the annual NJCAA El Toro Bowl. In addition, she oversaw all aspects of the cheer and dance programs, including the school's mascot.

Minnick began her career as the Head Cheer Coach at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL in 2003. Tasked with rebuilding the program entirely, Minnick turned an eight-girl squad into a 26-person contingent by the time she left five years later. During her final three seasons, she led Joliet to a pair of cheerleading championships against both two-year and four-year schools. Her team finished second in 2008.

Coinciding with her time at Arizona Western, Minnick spent six years as the Head Cheer Coach at Gila Ridge High School in Yuma, where she was in charge of the varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams.

During her playing days, Minnick cheered for two years at the College of DuPage in Chicago while earning her Associate of Arts Degree in Anthropology. From there, she transferred to Illinois State, obtaining her Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies.

Minnick joins her husband, Head Football Coach Tom Minnick in Garden City. They have two children: Payton and Morgan.