Mike Mickens ND CB’s Coach

[Jiggafini19Deux]

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?

Same. It's definitely a college football thing.

As for fan opinion, there is nothing worse than when a coaching vacancy opens and the immediate suggestions are former players. Out of misguided nostalgia and sentiment, a lot of them are probably not qualified to be coaching at Notre Dame. Another thing to consider is that they've already spent time as student athletes in South Bend and perhaps don't want to go back there as adults to coach. Some of these guys have families and have to do what is best for them, not for their former 20-something selves.

I don't want Jeff Burris, Tom Zbikowski or whomever coaching cornerbacks for this team this season. Probably not ever. Get the best guy available. I don't care where he played.

 

[Synoptico]

At a lot of higher education places title dictates pay scale, so a change in title is usually made so they can pay them more

 

[Dale]

Fortuna mentioned Minnesota DC Danny Collins as a candidate


Been with Fleck for a decade + is DC + is a safeties coach but made it sound like he’s a Chicago kid that would want to come here

 

[KPENN]

Kyle Kelly says Valai is the front runner. Doug Belk is another name. A name to monitor is Ricky Hunley Jr from SMU

 

[Dale]

Kyle Kelly says Valai is the front runner. Doug Belk is another name. A name to monitor is Ricky Hunley Jr from SMU

Heck just do Hunley and Crum?

 

[rtrn2glory]

Going to be really disappointed if it ain't valai at this point

 

[BrooklynDomer]

Going to be really disappointed if it ain't valai at this point

He seems like a strong option, but tough to get disappointed about a candidate that no one knew by name a week ago.

That being said, now with LB coach also open, would be nice to wrap up DB sooner than later. Seems odd that Partridge is now the most tenured defensive position coach under Ash.

 

[Huntr]

Hunley would be a good one too. SMU's db's have been a strong group. Lots of take-aways

 

[Huntr]

Heck just do Hunley and Crum?

Hell of an idea, tbh

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Going to be really disappointed if it ain't valai at this point

Same. Valai and Lyzenski. Get it done.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Same. Valai and Lyzenski. Get it done.

I'd replace Lyzenski with Lauranitis. Might as well swing for the fences.

 

[arrowryan]

I'd replace Lyzenski with Lauranitis. Might as well swing for the fences.

I think, for strictly ND purposes, I’d rank Lezynski over Lauranitis.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I think, for strictly ND purposes, I’d rank Lezynski over Lauranitis.

Based on he's less likely to leave?

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Forgive me, but why is everyone obsessed with Lezynski?

 

[2013Irish]

Forgive me, but why is everyone obsessed with Lezynski?

Went to ND. Clark Lea protege.

 

[Rocketman84]

USC has pissed away more DB talent than any other school in the country.

'Bama says hello as well

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Lezynski is highly regarded in the industry. I could be mistaken but he was well liked by the players as well?

He did work under Freeman as a senior analyst in 2021. In terms of age, I think he would round out the staff well with Valai.

 

[allenm5333]

Lezynski is highly regarded in the industry. I could be mistaken but he was well liked by the players as well?

He did work under Freeman as a senior analyst in 2021. In terms of age, I think he would round out the staff well with Valai.

I think I did the math and it was 2 years. MF's year as a DC, he was a GA. HC he was the analyst

 

[Irish5Saint]

Singer still think Valai will be coming to ND

 

[stlnd01]

He seems like a strong option, but tough to get disappointed about a candidate that no one knew by name a week ago.

That being said, now with LB coach also open, would be nice to wrap up DB sooner than later. Seems odd that Partridge is now the most tenured defensive position coach under Ash.

Um were you here during Transfer Portal Week, when the program was about to turn to ash if we didn't immediately land some defensive tackle none of us knew existed 48 hours prior?

 

[IrishSpartan]

Singer still think Valai will be coming to ND

Didn’t he just sign an extension today

 

[Dale]

Didn’t he just sign an extension today

Given it was a generic 2% type raise, I doubt he signed a prohibitive buyout that was different yesterday to today

 

[Rocketman84]

Um were you here during Transfer Portal Week, when the program was about to turn to ash if we didn't immediately land some defensive tackle none of us knew existed 48 hours prior?

Or perhaps it's people realizing their a lot closer to being casual fans.

 

[Irish5Saint]

Prister said about 20 minutes ago he thinks Valai overstepped his demands for authority and control and that the two parties won’t get an agreement done.

Seems eerily similar to Blanchard.

 

[stlnd01]

Didn't realize Valai played for and was a team captain under Ash at Wisconsin 15 years ago.

 

[NDPhilly]

It doesn’t make sense for Valai to leave. He couldn’t probably get a P4 DC gig assuming they have another strong defense next year.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

So who is next?

 

[BrooklynDomer]

It doesn’t make sense for Valai to leave. He couldn’t probably get a P4 DC gig assuming they have another strong defense next year.

Yeah but do you think Oklahoma’s defense or ND’s defense will be better next year? ND is more of a sure thing with Moore, Shuler, Johnson, McKinnie, Gray plus all the young guys. And Oklahoma has to play at Michigan, at Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, South Carolina…they easily will have 3 if not 4 losses next year.

 

[DONTH8]

Prister said about 20 minutes ago he thinks Valai overstepped his demands for authority and control and that the two parties won’t get an agreement done.

Seems eerily similar to Blanchard.

Prister said that?

I'm convinced more than ever that Valai is a done deal.

 

[NDVirginia19]

He seems like a strong option, but tough to get disappointed about a candidate that no one knew by name a week ago.

Buddy, are you new here?