Mingus graduated from Ball State in 1972 with a bachelor of science degree in health, physical education, and recreation and is a graduate of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. Mingus is in his 15th year as an assistant at Marian University. Prior to Marian University, he served as an assistant coach at Howe High School for three years before taking an assistant coach position at IUPUI from 1982-93. He also earned his master's degree in secondary education.

The Indianapolis, Indiana, native owns a landscaping and lawn maintenance company and has been married for five years. The couple has two children.