According to multiple reports, Mike Mickens is leaving his job as the Notre Dame defensive backs coach for a role ciaching the secondary for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
Saying this is a “tough loss,” is 1000% accurate. mike Mickens has been one of the best — IF NOT THE BEST — defensive backs coaches in all of college football. He offered the perfect blend of recognizing talent, recruiting talent, developing talent, and getting the most out of his talent.
The guy has been an absolute stud at Notre Dame. Here are some of his guys in the NFL right now:
- Kyle Hamilton (S) – Baltimore Ravens
- Nick McCloud (CB)
- Cam Hart (CB)
- Benjamin Morrison (CB)
- Xavier Watts (S)
- Thomas Harper (S)
- Jordan Clark (CB)
He also had a big part in the development of Sauce Gardner while he was with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
More importantly to Notre Dame fans right now… he is one of the biggest reasons the Irish secondary is absolutely stacked right now. Notre Dame returns 4 starters in the secondary in 2026 with Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, Adon Shuler, and Tae Johnson, and all 4 project to the NFL in the 2027 or 2028 NFL Draft (my guess is all four are drafted in the 2027 draft).
Mickens also leaves with the cupboards loaded with blue-chip talent in reserve with Mark Zachery, Dallas Golden, Luke Talich, Joey O’Brien, Khary Adams, and more.
This move by Mickens is, of course, a long time coming. We have been lucky that he has been at Notre Dame for this long. As far as who might be replacing Mickens, I think that’s something we have to have some faith in Marcus Freeman to handle. The Irish have a great staff right now, and there’s no reason to think the replacement hire won’t be fantastic.
