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Coach Nick
Owner • Head Coach • International Team USA Coach
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Nick Minney is the co-owner and head coach of Carolina Elite Trampoline & Tumbling, Author to the Trampoline Fundamentals, and Founder of Trampoline Swag. With over two decades in the sport, Nick has more than earned his reputation as a respected coach and leader in American trampoline & tumbling. He has served the sport as athlete, coach, judge, club owner, and national leader — and each of those roles has helped shape the way he trains, mentors, and supports his athletes today.
Nick's Story
Nick has coached multiple Team USA athletes, including World Champions, World Age Group medalists, national champions, and senior international competitors. His athletes are known for their strong technique, disciplined training habits, and commitment to excellence both inside and outside of the gym.
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Beyond day-to-day coaching, Nick has served the sport at the highest levels through several elected and appointed positions with USA Gymnastics, including Elite Committee Chair, Olympic Selection Committee Member, North Carolina State Chair, and Region 5 Board Member.
Early Life
Nick was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and raised in Bedford County. He began training in trampoline gymnastics at age eleven with Trampolines USA — the gym that first sparked his love for the sport. As a young athlete, he quickly found himself helping with beginner classes, and by fourteen he was already assisting coaches and discovering his passion for teaching.
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Growing up in a Christian home, Nick was taught early on the importance of gratitude, humility, and serving others. Those values shaped not just who he was as a young athlete, but who he would eventually become as a coach. He credits his faith for grounding him, guiding his purpose, and reminding him that every athlete is uniquely gifted and deserving of care, encouragement, and respect.
The values that shaped his early years — humility, work ethic, curiosity, Christian faith, and a deep desire to see others succeed — remain central to his coaching today.
Athletic Career
From ages 11–17, Nick competed in trampoline and double mini trampoline. During that time, he became a:
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12-time Virginia State Champion
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Level 10 National Team Champion (Regional All Star, 2010)
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Elite-level trampoline gymnast
His athletic years gave him a deep appreciation for strong fundamentals, shaping, and technique — principles that have defined his coaching philosophy ever since.
​Coaching Career
Nick began coaching at fourteen and transitioned to full-time coaching shortly after high school. In 2019, he cofounded Carolina Elite Trampoline & Tumbling, a program focused on high-level training, long-term development, and building an uplifting community for athletes and families.
Under his leadership, Carolina Elite has grown into a nationally recognized program producing:
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National champions
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Elite-level athletes
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World Age Group medalists
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Senior international medalists
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World Champions representing Team USA
Nick is known for blending technical detail with positive culture. His approach emphasizes strong basics, intentional progressions, mental resilience, and helping athletes become confident, grounded young adults.
​Leadership Roles with USA Gymnastics
Nick’s leadership roles include:
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Elite Committee Chair
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Olympic Selection Committee Member
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North Carolina State Chair
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Region 5 Board Member
Through these positions, he has contributed to national policy development, athlete selection procedures, and long-term program planning for Trampoline & Tumbling across the United States.
Notable Athletes Coached
Nick has coached many successful athletes, including:
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Trevor Harder — Double Mini Trampoline World Champion, Team Gold
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Gracie Harder — Double Mini Trampoline World Champion, Team Gold
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Sawyer Whitemiller — USA Junior National Trampoline Champion
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Bentley Zillmer — USA Youth National Double Mini Champion
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Meah Kelley — USA Youth National Trampoline Champion
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Michael Carey — USA Junior National Team Member
Alongside dozens of athletes who have earned additional national titles, international medals, and elite qualifications.​
​Publications
Nick is also a writer and illustrator. His works include:
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The Trampoline Fundamentals — a comprehensive coaching manual
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The Trampoline Adventures of Ninja Nick — a youth fiction book
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Ninja Nick 2: Bounce Back — upcoming sequel
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Trampoline Shapes & Skills Posters, Rules Charts, and coaching tools used by gyms across the country
Every illustration is hand-drawn by Nick himself.
Coaching Philosophy
Nick believes in building athletes from the inside out:
strong technique, strong mindset, strong character.
His coaching is rooted in:
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Long-term athletic development
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Clean fundamental technique
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Confidence and mental resilience
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Personal ownership and accountability
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A culture of teamwork, encouragement, and gratitude
To Nick, medals matter — but the people athletes become matters more.
Personal Life
Nick lives in North Carolina and spends his time coaching, writing, drawing, and building tools that support T&T athletes and coaches nationwide. He remains deeply committed to growing the sport and the community that has shaped his life.
