Mike Mickens ND CB’s Coach

[Dale]

Now that he won’t be the CBs Coach…….Chris O’Leary is gonna be a prime candidate to be the next HC of Notre Dame. What a world.

 

[calvegas04]

 

[Dale]

I did not realize O’Leary is basically Jesse Minter’s protege:

2011: Minter is the Indiana State DC, O’Leary is a WR
2015: Minter is the Georgia State DC, O’Leary gets first job as a GA.
2017: O’Leary gets first job as a position coach at Florida Tech, Rick Minter is DC.
2018: O’Leary gets job at ND, Rick Minter two stints at ND + Jesse with one stint.
2024: O’Leary gets Chargers safeties job, Jesse is DC, Rick is an analyst.
2026: Minter leaves, COL replaces him.

 

[Calabrese's People]

Whats the buyout?

 

[SportsingHard]

The bigger questions, however, are on defense. There is already a report from ESPN that pins Broncos pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard as a leading candidate to be the Bills’ new defensive coordinator. If that happens, the entire defensive staff could see an overhaul from last season. Bobby Babich, who was McDermott’s defensive protege since the former head coach arrived in 2017, might be gone if the Bills get Leonhard. And if Babich is gone, there could be a lot of positional coaching changes, too. Brady may want to hang on to some, with impressive coaching from cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae and safeties coach Mike Danna. There could be others, but the defensive coordinator will likely have full autonomy and will want his own people.

Mike Danna is a DE for the Chiefs. The Bills' safeties coach is Joe Danna, who I used to match up with in pick-up games. He and my little brother shared MVP honors on a team that lost the state championship to giant Miami/NFL fullback Nick Williams (Luchey) and Michigan WR Kevin Bryant.

 

[benneboy]

There are other factors beyond just his coaching that go into it, but Jay Valai coached secondaries at Oklahoma appear pretty uninspiring on the surface. Why is he considered such a good candidate?

 

[greyhammer90]

Now that he won’t be the CBs Coach…….Chris O’Leary is gonna be a prime candidate to be the next HC of Notre Dame. What a world.

I'm down for a fight for the position in 3 years between NFL DC Mickens and NFL DC O'Leary.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

There are other factors beyond just his coaching that go into it, but Jay Valai coached secondaries at Oklahoma appear pretty uninspiring on the surface. Why is he considered such a good candidate?

Didn’t OU have the number 1 defense last year? They made the playoffs with zero offense.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I'm surprised nobody has at least considered this. I know it's only Brown and not D1, but he's played in the NFL too and was an Irish legend. Is the concern he's not experienced or proven as a coach yet?

The concern is it would be a terrible hire and they have a line of better candidates around the block interested in the job.

Non starter.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

If anyone on this board has a strong opinion about anyone, I tend to think the opposite. Most of the posters are absolute idiots without the savant.

I trust Freeman given his track record and the DB room should be appealing to anyone in the country who is being considered.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I don't know if I agree with the "idiots" part, but I agree that I put absolutely no stock in fan opinion. There is way too much emphasis on short term success and way too little emphasis on the larger context that may have contributed to--or undermined--success.

MF is not desperate, dumb, or overconfident. He's also nationally popular based on the team's success and his personality. He'll have options and will make a smart pick for this particular team/staff.

That doesn't mean it will be a homerun in retrospect, but Freeman is smart, dedicated, and has the resources to be successful.

 

[Dale]

 

[notredomer23]

"Still negotiating" per Prister on Valai and Freeman. So for now would assume it's Valai until they go to the hockey game together this Friday.

 

[FireJeffQuinn]

Closing the top button of a polo shirt is always an odd look.

 

[NDPhilly]

"Still negotiating" per Prister on Valai and Freeman. So for now would assume it's Valai until they go to the hockey game together this Friday.

Wild Ludwig was forced to step down mid way through 2024 and is now effectively retired.

 

[tko]

Closing the top button of a polo shirt is always an odd look.

So 1990's Tiger Woods

 

[rtrn2glory]

i would think the negotiating is related to title and role on the defense. Can't think they'll let money be an issue if he's the guy they want.

 

[Dale]

what title can we add?

Assistant Head Coach for Defense / Co-Defensive Coordinator / Pass Defense / Cornerbacks and Nickelbacks

 

[arrowryan]

i would think the negotiating is related to title and role on the defense. Can't think they'll let money be an issue if he's the guy they want.

I never understood the hang up on “titles”. As long as you’re getting paid the agreed upon amount and you’re in your agreed upon role, who cares about the title?

 

[notredomer23]

i would think the negotiating is related to title and role on the defense. Can't think they'll let money be an issue if he's the guy they want.

There's no limit on coaches anymore. Michigan has like 15. Maybe Valai wants to be a DB coach while also bringing on a more junior safety coach.

 

[The Backer]

I never understood the hang up on “titles”. As long as you’re getting paid the agreed upon amount and you’re in your agreed upon role, who cares about the title?

the issue might be that he's currently co-DC now. Is DPGC/DB enough at ND? If you make him co-DC do you upset Washington?

 

[arrowryan]

the issue might be that he's currently co-DC now. Is DPGC/DB enough at ND? If you make him co-DC do you upset Washington?

Coach Washington has not performed well enough to deserve to be upset. He’s the reason they brought in Partridge.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

what title can we add?

Assistant Head Coach for Defense / Co-Defensive Coordinator / Pass Defense / Cornerbacks and Nickelbacks

Assistant to the assistant co-defensive coordinator,Head coach,special teams coordinator

 

[rtrn2glory]

A lot of coaches have large egos, so a certain title will go a long way in stroking that ego and at the same time maybe making them look better when applying for a bigger job in the future, much like it probably had a role in Mickens getting his promotion.

 

[Huntr]

what title can we add?

Assistant Head Coach for Defense / Co-Defensive Coordinator / Pass Defense / Cornerbacks and Nickelbacks

 

[thekid33]

what title can we add?

Assistant Head Coach for Defense / Co-Defensive Coordinator / Pass Defense / Cornerback

The IrishEnvy Family Assistant Head Coach for Defense/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Pass Defense/Conrerback

 

[smw6230]

A lot of coaches have large egos, so a certain title will go a long way in stroking that ego and at the same time maybe making them look better when applying for a bigger job in the future, much like it probably had a role in Mickens getting his promotion.

Some of the title massaging is contractual. Schools can, but rarely do, restrict lateral moves for assistant coaches. "Titles" are kind of a way around DB coach from X leaving to become DB coach at Y as he'll ALSO be........ asst head coach & Passing Game Cord. The actual title matters little in a football sense. The title is far more important to satisfying the contractual terms of an existing signed agreement.

 

[NDhoosier]

The titles are a resume builder for future job opportunities as well. Most every day people do that regularly when they know they want to use that position to build their resume for a better job down the line. All of these assistants want to build their resume so they can keep getting better and better job opportunities.

 

[Dale]

Some of the title massaging is contractual. Schools can, but rarely do, restrict lateral moves for assistant coaches. "Titles" are kind of a way around DB coach from X leaving to become DB coach at Y as he'll ALSO be........ asst head coach & Passing Game Cord. The actual title matters little in a football sense. The title is far more important to satisfying the contractual terms of an existing signed agreement.

This is it more than anything.

 

[ColinKSU]

I'm down for a fight for the position in 3 years between NFL DC Mickens and NFL DC O'Leary.

You’ll get NFL OC Tommy Rees and like it.