It’s been a rough week for Notre Dame. After coming up short in the National Championship against Ohio State, the Irish are feeling the drawbacks of a successful season. It was announced on Wednesday that defensive coordinator Al Golden will be leaving the Fighting Irish to become the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Golden has been Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. Transforming the unit into one of, if not the best in the country. The defense’s play was a big reason for their run to the National Championship in 2024. It ranked fourth in the country in points per game and passing yards per game. It’s safe to say that without the leadership and strategy of Golden Notre Dame doesn’t have nearly the success they did.
It’s fair to say the next defensive coordinator will have big shoes to fill. With elite defensive play being a major part of the team’s identity they need someone as good as Golden. Someone who’s going to build on the groundwork Golden laid, and keep the defense at an elite level. However, they don’t need to do a wide search to find that person. They’re already on the staff in the defensive back coach Mike Mickens.
Who is Mike Mickens
Mickens was born on July 24, 1987, in Dayton Ohio. He helped lead his high school team to two league titles. He also earned All-Greater Western Ohio Conference honors twice. This impressive resume earned him a scholarship from the University of Cincinnati. He became a starter his freshman year and didn’t start in only one game over his four years. He also left as the school leader in interceptions and interception return yards.
Although NFL teams felt Mickens was a talented player, there were concerns when he entered the 2009 draft. After a less-than-stellar pro day, plus a left knee injury, Mickens fell to the seventh round and was picked by the Dallas Cowboys. However, Mickens was waived right before the start of the season. After bouncing around the NFL, as well as a stop in the Canadian Football League he retired from football in 2010.
This premature end to his playing career, caused Mickens to look for other ways to be involved with football. This caused him to join his alma mater’s coaching staff as a defensive assistant. He bounced around several FCS and low-level FBS schools, serving as the cornerbacks coach. Then in February 2020, he joined his former coach Brian Kelly becoming the defensive backs coach at Notre Dame.
Why Mickens is the Right Choice for Notre Dame
The biggest reason for Mickens being the next defensive coordinator is he provides consistency. Normally when a team brings in a new DC, there are going to be changes. They’ll bring in their staff and implement their defensive scheme and style. Although there will be changes under Mickens, they won’t be major. The same basic philosophies that Golden installed will remain. Plus there is a better chance of keeping the current staff together if Mickens comes in.
Mickens is also a main reason for how good the Irish secondary has become. Coming into the season the Irish secondary was ranked as one of the best in the country. Their performance during the season backed up these pre-season evaluations. Mickens is the guy who came up with Notre Dame coverage structure, promoting him to become the Irish pass game coordinator. He was also in charge of calling out the coverage over the past two seasons. Seeing immediate success while doing it.
Mickens was also instrumental in landing big recruits like Benjamin Morrison and Leonard Moore. Even though Marcus Freeman is a good recruiter, it helps to have coaches who can also connect with recruits. This will allow the Irish to continue to have talented defensive and can keep that aspect of the team identity alive. Although he might not have any experience at a DC, it’s a mistake for the Irish to hire anyone else than Mickens.
Brian Germinaro is a sportswriter for Belly Up Sports. Follow him on Twitter/X for more sports coverage and Belly Up Sports for even more college football content. Feature image credit: Icon Sportswire.
