Tabor College

Varsity Coaches

Mike Gottsch

Head Football Coach

Email: mikeg@tabor.edu Phone: 620-947-3121 xt. 1602

Length of time at Tabor: Since 2007

Athletic background

Mike was an all-conference QB at Elkhorn, H.S. in Elkhorn Nebraska (‘79 ). The Antlers were conference champs that year. Working for his Uncle, Bob Gottsch Feedyard, he turned down a scholarship to play at Sam Houston State, TX. In ‘83 he decided to pursue his college career. Playing at Moorpark JC in Semi Valley, CA. Moorpark JC now has one of the best win percentages in CA. JC football. During the 84/85’season, he was voted team captain his Sophomore season where he started at QB vs. Santa Monica JC. The victory secured a conference championship for the ‘85 Raiders and landed Moorpark in the Brahma Bowl. Mike was offered a full-ride scholarship to DI Moorhead State in Kentucky, but as fate had it, he went to Tabor. His Jr. year at Tabor Mike was an Academic/All-Conference QB where he led the league in TD passes. During his Sr. season he tore his ACL. He then stayed on his 5th year and coached QB’s at Tabor. From Tabor he went to Chadron State in Chadron, NE. He was a graduate asssistant where he coached QB’s and special teams. Chadron qualified for the National Playoffs during his 2 year stint there. In between the 89’- 90’ seasons Mike played for the West London Aces. A semi-pro team in England where he was Offensive Coordinator and QB. Mike received his MS degree from Chadron. His first coaching job came in 91’ when he became the head football coach for the Henderson Huskies in Henderson, NE.

While the Head Football Coach (HFC) at Henderson H.S. in Nebraska his team finished ranked in the top 10 during his last 3 seasons there ( 94-95-96 ). Mike accepted a position at struggling Colby H.S. in Colby, KS. While HFC at Colby H.S. in KS the Eagles won it’s first District Title in 20 years ( 97 ) and also won back to back Big School Conference Titles (2000 – 01) beating Goodland back to back seasons. In 02’ Mike accepted the Assistant Head Coach Offensive Coordinator position at Upper Iowa, Univ. With the resignation of the head coach, Mike then accepted the Offensive Coordinator position at Hutchinson Junior College in Hutchinson, Kansas. The Hutch offense finished the 03’ season ranked in the top 10 nationally. The Blue Dragons competed in the “Valley of the Sun” Bowl Game and finished ranked 13 (2003)in the nation. Mike then accepted a H.S. position in Indiana, where he took over at Southmont H.S. His next move brought him back to his alma-mater. Tabor is in a rebuilding mode after 3 head coaches in 3 seasons. He expects the Blue Jays to be very competitive now and in the future!

Family

He is married to Liz ( former Liz Dyck ) they have 3 children: Ben (16), Frances (14), and Samuel (12).

Athletic Goals

He is in this for the long haul. He believes that championship programs are a product of the entire college community working together and committed to an action plan. His vision is to build a program where one’s faith, integrity, perseverance, academics, and winning are of monumental importance. He and his staff will strive to attract and retain top level student/athletes. He wants to be innovative in thought and willing to step-out and take chances, in other words, he is not afraid of change. He believes coaches can and should always be dynamic in their profession and should always seek better ways of instructing and teaching the game.

What is special about athletics at Tabor?

Tabor is an inviting place. There is a sense of team everywhere you go. People are sincerely wanting to see everyone succeed and are willing to go the extra mile to do so. It is a pro-active place that remembers the reason it exists – to train students to be ever mindful and servants of the Lord. Tabor is a very fascinating place that wants to do things the right way – ’ God’s Way!

How do you integrate faith into your coaching?

I believe as the HFC one is influential in encouraging/motivating others in their spiritual walk by practicing yours. Being a role model is a key ingredient in helping your players to grow. Such as taking part in team prayer, attending team devotionals, attending chapel. These are all illustrative ways in which players are witnessing and seeing their coach. Also the tongue is a powerful tool. It is important that coaches be clever in what they say and when they say it. Players feed off of every word spoken from their coach. God has provided the job, one must always be mindful of this.

In the short time I have been here our team has come much closer. I believe they have come to trust each other more by opening up and positive communication with each other. In the game of football and life their will always be times of discord, I believe teams that communicate effectively with one another can reduce and minimize potential problems. Spiritual growth comes from spending time in the Word and fellowship with other believers. Those things are being witnessed and practiced by our team routinely. It is great to be a part of this.

Recruiting Region

Coach Gottsch’s region that he recruits is: Central Kansas, Southern Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, New Mexico, California. The rest of the U.S. is covered by different coaches.

Edward King

Defensive Coordinator

Staff Biography

Email: edwardk@tabor.edu

Length of time at Tabor: Since 2007

Athletic Background

Coach King played as an offensive and defensive lineman throughout high school and at the collegiate level for Potomac State College in Keyser, West Virginia. He began as an offensive and defensive line coach at Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, Florida before moving on to Muskogee, Oklahoma where he coached running backs for Bacone College. He then worked as the Sports Information Director/Defensive Line coach for Si Tanka University in Huron, South Dakota. Most recently, he was the defensive coordinator for Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK.

Family

Coach King and his wife Lora have 4 adult children and 3 granddaughters.

Coaching Style

Coach King is passionate about football and coaching. He believes in teaching by example. Football is a game of discipline for the individual player, for the team and for the coaching staff. He believes practice and conditioning are both as important, if not more important, than the game. Fundamentals must be learned and come natural during the game. He stresses positive reinforcement of natural talent and perseverance in developing skills.

What is special about athletics at Tabor

The Christian perspective that flows through every channel of communication, method of teaching and relationship developed is what makes coaching at Tabor great. Whether it is in the classroom or on the football field, you will sense something different at Tabor. Coach loves being a part of this community!

How do you integrate faith into your coaching?

Coach King strives to integrate and share his faith by being a good role model – using Jesus Christ as his example for his behavior and interactions with those around him.

Recruiting Region

Coach King’s region that he recruits is: Eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Greater Kansas City, Southern States, Eastern States. The rest of the U.S. is covered by a different coaches.

Dave Kroeker

Defensive Backs Coach

Email: davidk@tabor.edu
Phone: 620-947-3121 xt. 1505 Length of time at Tabor: Since 1997

Athletic background

This is my 6th year as the Head Men’s and Women’s Track Coach, and 15th season as a football coach at Tabor College. I have been and assistant track coach at Dundy County High School in Benkelman, NE. I was also the head football coach at Dundy County for 5 years. Previous to that, I was the head football coach at Holyoke, CO, for 5 years and before that I was an assistant football coach at Tonganoxie, KS, Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS, Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn, WA, and Illahee Jr. High School in Federal Way, WA. I have also coached as an assistant in basketball and softball. I’m a former Bluejay athlete who played 4 years of football, 3 years of basketball, and 1 year of baseball at Tabor.

• KCAC Co-Coach of the Year-Women’s Track—2003
• KCAC Co-Coach of the Year-Men’s Track—2004
• Published “All I Needed to Know I Learned in Football,” Scholastic Coach magazine, 1994

Family

I have been married to my wife, Kim, for 28 years and together we have 4 children. Our daughter Angela is 26 graduated from Tabor and is now married Andrew Jost. We have two other daughters, Shannon (23) who graduated from Tabor and Cassie (16) who is a sophomore at Hillsboro High School. Our son Kyle is19 years old and is a freshmqn at Tabor. I enjoy music. I play the piano and compose music about things that are important to me. I’m an elder at Parkview Mennonite Church where I teach adult Sunday School and occasionally lead music in worship.

Coaching style

I want to help athletes get better than they are now, both athletically and spiritually. We run an excellent program where everyone will get coached, no matter their ability level and everyone will be challenged to grow spiritually in their understanding of who they are in Christ. I am an encourager. That’s my personality and I believe that is also a spiritual gift. I get excited about PRs and excellent performances. I’m the flexibility coach. I work with a lot of multiple-sport athletes and I try to accommodate their participation in those sports even during our competitive season. My cup is always 1/2 full. I try to always see the best in people. I’m a very positive person most of the time except when athletes don’t communicate with me about things like injuries, absences, etc. I strive to run a big-time program within the parameters that Tabor offers. We will have the most up-to-date training methods available. We will have a great strength program for all athletes. Above all, we will honor Christ with how we practice and how we compete. On the back of our track T-shirts each year will be 1st Corinthians 9:24-25, “Run (jump and throw) in such a way as to get . . . a crown that lasts forever.”

What is special about athletics at Tabor?

The people. Tabor students, faculty and staff are caring and warm people. They will go out of their way to help each other. I also am completely sold on the Christ-centered experience that Tabor offers in athletics, academic, and residence life. Tabor is one of the few colleges in America where, if you make good choices, you could be a better person when you graduate, not just an educated one that survived ‘college’.

How do you integrate faith into your coaching?

It is one of the great joys of my life to see freshman grow athletically and spiritually into seniors who are ready for the next part of life. They figure out what it takes to be excellent in track and field and they grow towards a better understanding of how they should live life as a Christian. I covet the times that I get to share with my athletes, especially being able to talk about the Bible and about God and how those things make a difference in my life.

Randy Brazil

Running Backs

Former Tabor College football team captain Randy Brazil of Norman, Okla., returns to coach Bluejay running backs this season. A 1990 Tabor graduate, Randy was a four-year letter winner, an honorable mention All-KCAC selection, and a fifth-year student assistant coach. A Kansas law enforcement officer since 1992, Randy serves as the undersheriff with the Marion County Sheriffs Department. He and his wife, Carolyn, have four children Lindsey, Scott, Stephen, and Ashley. They are members of the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

Grant Myers

Offensive Line

As an offensive lineman, three-time NAIA All-American Grant Myers of Bakersfield, Calif., helped bring two KCAC championships to Tabor College, in 2004 and 2005. Grant, who will coach offensive line this season, was a four-year letterman, three-time first-team All-KCAC selection, and team captain in the 2006 season. He began his coaching career at Tabor this past spring. He will receive his bachelor’s degree in physical education/health from Tabor in 2008.

Jake Schenk

Linebackers

Coach Schenk’s information is coming soon!

John Garcia

Receivers

Staff Biography

Former Bluejays tight end, John Garcia, out of Westminster, CO, returns to the Tabor football program to coach receivers and tight ends this season.

He is a four–year letter winner, who is most noted for the two-point conversion catch in double overtime against Bethel in the 2004 season, to help the Bluejays capture their first ever KCAC title.

John graduated Tabor College in the spring of ’07 with a B.A. in Sociological Practice. He is working as a grounds keeper for Tabor College while his lovely wife, Shayley Garcia, finishes her degree.

John plans on becoming a police officer in the near future.