Email: mikeg@tabor.edu
Phone: 620-947-3121 ext. 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.
Email: edwardk@tabor.edu
Phone: 620-947-3121 ext. 1604
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.
Linebackers
Email: jakes@tabor.edu
Phone: 620-947-3121 ext. 1606
Length of time at Tabor: Since 2008
Athletic Background
Jake was an all-state football player from Smith Center (Kan.) High School graduating in 2002. He was selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl after his senior year before beginning a stellar career at Tabor College. At Tabor, he started at linebacker for four years and was a four-time all-KCAC player. He led the team in tackles all four years and in his senior year helped lead the Bluejays to an 11-1 record, a conference championship and to the second round in the national playoffs. As a senior, he was named KCAC Co-Defensive Player of the year and earned NAIA First-Team All-American honors playing for the Bluejay defense. As important, he earned the NAIA's Champion of Character Award in his junior and senior years.
Today, Coach Schenk still holds Tabor College records for total tackles, solo tackles, and tackles for loss. After graduating in 2006 with degrees in Physical Education and Biblical/Religious Studies, he coached outside linebackers at Greenville College in Illinois. In the spring of 2007, he participated in TREK, a six-month missions program, which included three months in Egypt. Last year Coach Schenk served as a Youth Pastor and K-Life area director in Norman, Okla.
Family
Jake's parents, Randy and Sheila Schenk, live and work in Smith Center, Kan. He has three older brothers and all of them coach football. Two of them at Malone College in Canton, Ohio and he has one brother coaching at Sterling College.
What is your coaching style?
My goal for coaching is not only to improve skill and technique on the field that improves performance, but also to teach and example a life of character that would be worthy of being called a follower of Jesus Christ. My goal is glorify the name of Jesus Christ in all that surrounds the life of a college football coach. I believe in hard work and making sure the little things are done right. I desire to see the players become students of the game.
What is special about athletics at Tabor?
Tabor is a great place of community that allows student-athletes to pursue excellence on the field and also in the classroom. As an athlete at Tabor, I loved the fact that the athletic programs wanted to see student-athletes grow in their walk with Jesus Christ and also excel on and off the field as representatives of Christ's kingdom.
How do you integrate faith into coaching?
My goal is for Jesus Christ to be the center of all that I do. As a coach, I want to set an example as a man who lives to glorify Jesus Christ.
Offensive Line
Email: grantm@tabor.edu
Length of time at Tabor: Since 2007
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 begin
his second season as the offensive line coach for the Bluejays, was a
four-year letterman, three-time 1st Team All-KCAC selection, and team
captain in the 2006 season.
He began his coaching career at Tabor in the spring of 2007. He received his bachelor's degree in physical education/sports management from Tabor in 2008.
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.
Defensive Backs
C.J. Hill from Hillsboro, KS., returns to Tabor College to coach the defensive backs. C.J. played at Tabor from 2000 to 2005.
After his playing days were over, C.J. went on to be a graduate assistant at East Central University in Ada, OK. After East Central, he was the defensive backs coach at Malone College in Canton, OH.
C.J. graduated with a bachelor's degree from Tabor College in physical education/health, and a master's degree in Sports Administration from East Central University.
Receivers
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.
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