Mike Mickens ND CB’s Coach

[BrownerandFry]

It's year two and his top 2 corners are a 3* sophomore that was ranked in the 700s nationally and a converted former 3* receiver.

I am more than confident with Mike Mickens.

He has just begun.

For those of you who weren't playing hangman in Econ, remember the distinction between

Production and
Production Capacity.

colloguially, the goose and the Golden Egg.

this goose is becoming stronger, Hart is improving before our very eyes (that is, for those who WATCH and UNDERSTAND football, not just the professional whiners)

And Lewis is coming along as a soph.

Henderson, arriving, there are frosh in the incubator.

And the 2022 recruits............................



Mickens is building a very healthy, fertile "Goose" and the ND secondary, still retooling from zone to man-to-man, is growing before our (or rather MY) eyes

I have more confidence in

Mickens as a DB cioach
than I do in your, (cough cough) insight.(.

 

[BobbyMac]

I thought he was a better offensive prospect in HS.

 

[Irishize]

Is our starting NB and is physically maxed out and not ideal for an outside CB. He played more snaps than either Rover. He essentially is a starter and has made positive plays this year. Playing less total snaps means less good but also less bad. Disagree with the premise he has regressed, just reutilized

If he hasn’t regressed then why did he lose his position last year?

Did you see that horrible tackle attempt of the Purdue WR?

I do think he’s good in pass coverage when he’s got his mind right.

 

[Dale]

If he hasn’t regressed then why did he lose his position last year?

Did you see that horrible tackle attempt of the Purdue WR?

I do think he’s good in pass coverage when he’s got his mind right.

Clarence Lewis being better then Bracy doesn’t mean Bracy is worse than when Mickens took over. Did Bertrand regress because he badly missed a few tackles? Hamilton?

 

[T-Boone]

I thought he was a better offensive prospect in HS.

Mickens?

 

[irishandy]

Mickens is fine...it may be year 2 for him, but it's also his second DC he has worked with.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

I think Mickens has done a good job based on the circumstances, with more time and his recruiting choices, he will shine.

 

[BabyIrish]

I’m a bit surprised to find us calling for Mickens head after we held a Purdue team who is known for their passing below their passing yard average, touchdown average, and scoring average.

 

[Irishize]

Clarence Lewis being better then Bracy doesn’t mean Bracy is worse than when Mickens took over. Did Bertrand regress because he badly missed a few tackles? Hamilton?

Right. My question has more to do w/ Bracy regressing each year he’s been here…even despite Mickens joining the staff. In other words, despite getting a great DBs coach, Bracy still can’t get out of his own way. I’m glad he’s found a role at nickel I just thought he’d be on a similar track as Love was and I’ve personally been disappointed for the young man. Anyways, D is least of our worries.

 

[Ndaccountant]

People complaining about Mickens right now is like people yelling at the airline ticket agent about a lost luggage....

 

[BeauBenken]

I've seen mostly positive posts on the play of our defensive backs so seeing someone think Mickens isn't doing well (in year 2) is a little surprising saying the least.

I am not sure people realize that by playing man so often that the days of having corners give up next to nothing throughout an entire game is likely over.

 

[dad4aa]

I’m a bit surprised to find us calling for Mickens head after we held a Purdue team who is known for their passing below their passing yard average, touchdown average, and scoring average.

Some people…if they’re breathing they’re bitching.

 

[BrownerandFry]

I’m a bit surprised to find us calling for Mickens head after we held a Purdue team who is known for their passing below their passing yard average, touchdown average, and scoring average.

perhaps we can peremptorily fire Mickens and bring back Fat Charley Wesse's favorite DB coach, Bill Lewis.

 

[NDRock]

perhaps we can peremptorily fire Mickens and bring back Fat Charley Wesse's favorite DB coach, Bill Lewis.

I’ve seen quite a few people butcher the spelling of his name but yours might be the best. Well done.

 

[irishff1014]

I understand that you have to have some talent to work with but it seems like the DB’s do nothing good. At what point does it not fall back on him? Teach them
angles, tackling and ball tracking. And for the love of god when your corner is getting smoked all day figure out away to switch it up.

 

[Rogue219]

I understand that you have to have some talent to work with but it seems like the DB’s do nothing good. At what point does it not fall back on him? Teach them
angles, tackling and ball tracking. And for the love of god when your corner is getting smoked all day figure out away to switch it up.

It "falls back on him" to recruit better players. He's been on the staff for a year.

 

[chicago51]

Coby Bryant and Ahmed Gardner are pretty good at Cinci who got coaching under Mickens. Byrant is more of credit to Mickens than Gardner who only got one year under Mickens.

Cam Hart had a pretty good year under Mickens.

I'd venture to say Mike Mickens is a better coach in the Fiesta Bowl if among other things Notre Dame doesn't strike out on corners in the 2017 class.

 

[fightingirish26]

Lewis disaster is fresh on the minds but Hart playing as well as he did this year was an impressive coaching job.

 

[IrishLax]

Guys like Lea and Diaco protect their corners like crazy. It’s also why I honestly think with someone like Lea as the DC yesterday ND wins that game without breaking a sweat. Oklahoma State was really just playing a shitty version of UNC’s offense from last year minus the RPOs and NFL talent. Yes, ND didn’t have the speed of Hamilton/JOK/Liufau but Oklahoma State’s offense is full of nobodies.

The problem with “challenge everything” is that if you have guys that are physically mismatched then you get exposed. Oklahoma State basically picked on 3 positions. ND didn’t have an answer. That’s coaching malpractice. And if you try something similar against a “good” team like Ohio State then you’re going to give up 60+ points.

Last year, all Lewis was really asked to do was play soft coverage and come up and tackle. He has Kyle Hamilton behind him most of the time. This year showed that Cam Hart is a pretty good player, Bracy isn’t chopped liver in coverage either. But Lewis is not sticky. He’d probably make a better safety.

 

[irishtrooper]

Guys like Lea and Diaco protect their corners like crazy. It’s also why I honestly think with someone like Lea as the DC yesterday ND wins that game without breaking a sweat. Oklahoma State was really just playing a shitty version of UNC’s offense from last year minus the RPOs and NFL talent. Yes, ND didn’t have the speed of Hamilton/JOK/Liufau but Oklahoma State’s offense is full of nobodies.

The problem with “challenge everything” is that if you have guys that are physically mismatched then you get exposed. Oklahoma State basically picked on 3 positions. ND didn’t have an answer. That’s coaching malpractice. And if you try something similar against a “good” team like Ohio State then you’re going to give up 60+ points.

Last year, all Lewis was really asked to do was play soft coverage and come up and tackle. He has Kyle Hamilton behind him most of the time. This year showed that Cam Hart is a pretty good player, Bracy isn’t chopped liver in coverage either. But Lewis is not sticky. He’d probably make a better safety.

I really think you nailed it. Makes sense based on what I’ve seen. Hopefully the young players signed and signing can be the type of guys needed to do it

 

[BeatSC]

Hope we get some studs who show in the spring and push or surpass some of our starters if they are just better athletes. Same goes for all our slower LBs. Do we think White stay another year?

 

[calvegas04]

Hope we get some studs who show in the spring and push or surpass some of our starters if they are just better athletes. Same goes for all our slower LBs. Do we think White stay another year?

no he is playing in a senior bowl coming up

 

[Luckylucci]

Player Development

Mickens a Game-Changer for the Notre Dame Cornerback Position

Mike Mickens has revamped and rejuvenated at the cornerback room at Notre Dame. The future of the position is extremely bright with him running the show at that spot in South Bend.

247sports.com

 

[stlnd01]

Mickens is good. A little surprised there hasn't been more smoke around him for other jobs. Knock on wood this has been the quietest offseason for staff turnover in a long time.

 

[nsisk157]

Mickens is good. A little surprised there hasn't been more smoke around him for other jobs. Knock on wood this has been the quietest offseason for staff turnover in a long time.

After last year, we deserve an off-season to ourselves lol

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Mickens is good. A little surprised there hasn't been more smoke around him for other jobs. Knock on wood this has been the quietest offseason for staff turnover in a long time.

I was talking to some family about this over the weekend, (knock on wood) been really enjoying it haha

 

[bumpdaddy]

"Attack the ball!"

 

[greyhammer90]

"Attack the ball!"

Morrison is such a joy to watch play football.

 

[Lberry]

IMO the best assistant on the staff. If Parker earns another year, I think MF needs to have a plan to make him the DC, assuming Golden leaves. It keeps a super star on staff and happy, and we know recruiting would uptick and continuity would be good.

Plua, IFF Parker earns another year, between him and the QB coach, that's enough focus on offense. MF can help Mickens early in his DC career.

 

[ThePiombino]

IMO the best assistant on the staff. If Parker earns another year, I think MF needs to have a plan to make him the DC, assuming Golden leaves. It keeps a super star on staff and happy, and we know recruiting would uptick and continuity would be good.

Plua, IFF Parker earns another year, between him and the QB coach, that's enough focus on offense. MF can help Mickens early in his DC career.

With Golden gone, who's going to help MF? Golden's value isn't just as DC, it's as a guy who has headed up multiple D1 football programs. If Golden leaves this year, as much as we WANT Mickens to succeed him, I'm not sure we can afford to do so. Where's the experience coming from?