Al Golden

[Domina Nostra]

Mickens not may be as good of a DC as he is recruiter (A+) or DB coach (A+), but his talent is so obvious you have to give him the chance. It would be absurd to let him walk.

 

[Dale]

If Mickens were to be promoter would that mean a spot for Bullough to be promoted?

I can see Bullough getting Co-DC with Mickens as DC

I can also see Bullough being more scheme and play calling versed than Mickens long term

Probably would take safeties back off his plate

 

[irish2104]

ISD stating that Golden is really happy at ND and that might be a story planted to distract team... very peculiar timing....

 

[Dale]

ISD stating that Golden is really happy at ND and that might be a story planted to distract team... very peculiar timing....

Who is the opponent of ND this week? Ahhh weird Freeman for Bears came up. Who was the opponent of Texas last week? Oh wow Sark names got thrown out last week




Weird

 

[thekid33]

This team is locked in.

The Pope could die and they wouldn't be distracted (speaking figuratively, of course - over/under on how many of them could name the current Pope?) lol

 

[Katzenboyer]

That report is thin. One guy's opinion that Golden would be the next DC because...what, exactly? Golden coached there a few years back?

Anyways, if he does leave, then yeah, you promote Mickens and don't think twice about it.

 

[irishnd31]

Yeah, this seems like people are worrying about a whole lot of nothing here. Let's stay focused here gentlemen.

 

[greyhammer90]

Yeah, this seems like people are worrying about a whole lot of nothing here. Let's stay focused here gentlemen.

I'll get back to studying OSU film

 

[allenm5333]

II pod said Golden will have a decision to make. But also said Ohio state has hierarchy issues and chip wants nfl oc job

 

[irishnd31]

I'll get back to studying OSU film

There's my dude. ☘️

 

[Free Manera]

Has any other source even reported that he's interviewed, let alone is finalist?

I haven't seen anything anywhere else. A poster started a thread about the same article on 247 but no reporters have chimed in yet. One of the other poster-insiders said he highly doubts it though.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I haven't seen anything anywhere else. A poster started a thread about the same article on 247 but no reporters have chimed in yet. One of the other poster-insiders said he highly doubts it though.

...because he's going to take the PSU job (according to PSU fans, anyway...)

 

[Free Manera]

...because he's going to take the PSU job (according to PSU fans, anyway...)

lol he is actually their 2nd choice over on 247. Knowles is #1.

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

If you do promote Mickens, you definitely need to hire another DB coach. Up until this year, we recently had separate safety and CB coaches. No way you put that combined role on someone who is also the DC, especially now that there are way fewer restrictions on the number of coaches.

The bigger question, to me, is whether Freeman wants to spend more time on the defense or whether we try to bring in a co-DC with more experience because I feel like you don't want to put someone without experience in the role without a person to help them out. Its like how when we promoted Freeman, Swarbrick wanted someone with HC experience on the staff. If we promote Mickens, we need someone with DC experience in the defensive room on a daily basis.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Success brings suitors for head coaches and assistants alike. Get used to it. It's part of this industry and your delicate sensibilities might get hurt.

I think there are enough moving parts that no move is made here. Recent extension, stability, good salary.

 

[GATTACA!]

Ara and Lou have other people (players) with him, so there's precedent.

Build it. Not weird. Let's burn this college football playoffs to the ground.

I think something along these lines would be appropriate.

 

[Katzenboyer]

lol he is actually their 2nd choice over on 247. Knowles is #1.

LOL. Saw that he's atop their list, for no other reason that "he's from Philadelphia."

Delusional.

 

[greyhammer90]

II pod said Golden will have a decision to make. But also said Ohio state has hierarchy issues and chip wants nfl oc job

Strangest and most concerning thing said on the II pod was Sampson saying that if Golden leaves, he does not believe Mickens will be the next DC. Didn't elaborate on whether that would be because Mickens would choose to go elsewhere or because he wouldn't be the choice. When asked to clarify, he said that was based on what he's heard. Either way would be very weird to me.

 

[CousinEddy]

Strangest and most concerning thing said on the II pod was Sampson saying that if Golden leaves, he does not believe Mickens will be the next DC. Didn't elaborate on whether that would be because Mickens would choose to go elsewhere or because he wouldn't be the choice. When asked to clarify, he said that was based on what he's heard. Either way would be very weird to me.

Heard that and felt same… but my optimistic ass hopes it’s because he fell so in love with coaching both S and CB that he does not want a DC position

 

[KPENN]

Heard that and felt same… but my optimistic ass hopes it’s because he fell so in love with coaching both S and CB that he does not want a DC position

Thought this too. He really hasn’t been linked for anything this offseason that I can recall. I also wonder if ND threw some money at the position coaches too.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I don't think he is a lame duck if he sorts the D out. Wounded beast at the moment.

The NFL is ruthless and cutthroat.

Taylor has missed the playoffs 2 years in a row. And while the offense was good this year, it was very average the year prior. A lot of volatility in Taylor's run.

He could jump to Cincy and turn that defense around and the Bengals could be in good shape. But Taylor is also another mediocre year away from getting the axe, and Golden is gone with him.

I get that you'd want to return to the league, and IIRC, he has a kid(s) who go to school in Cincinnati. But is it worth leaving a very lucrative, stable and successful post at ND?

Regardless, I think ND is going to carry on without a hitch, because as others have attested, Mickens is the clear next DC and Marcus Freeman is a seasoned defensive play caller. They're going to be more than fine there. Golden is a great DC, no question, but people tend to forget, so was Marcus. And I'm 100% confident that Mickens will be one too. He's spent years learning under Freeman and Golden.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

So....the most vomit inducing scenario is:

We lose on Monday
Golden departs for NFL
Day bolts for NFL
OSU hires Freeman

We're left in a state of rebuilding the staff just when the arrow was pointing up more than at any time in the past 2 decades.

My battered fan just won't let go, even after this magical run.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I think it's possible that collectively as a message board we overvalue Mickens' potential as the Defensive Coordinator of Notre Dame. I mean, if promoting him is the best move available to the program should Golden leave, by all means do that. I just think there are better options should that time come. Not to mention the situation in terms of the program's standing compared to 6 months ago has changed drastically and there are probably a lot of guys who are now interested that maybe where not before.

IDK, nothing against Mickens, but I think we've built him up into something when in reality they could probably go out and land a stud DC without having to go on the cheap. We're in a whole new era now.

 

[irishu]

So....the most vomit inducing scenario is:

We lose on Monday
Golden departs for NFL
Day bolts for NFL
OSU hires Freeman

We're left in a state of rebuilding the staff just when the arrow was pointing up more than at any time in the past 2 decades.

My battered fan just won't let go, even after this magical run.

Have a drink, buddy

 

[Domina Nostra]

I think it's possible that collectively as a message board we overvalue Mickens' potential as the Defensive Coordinator of Notre Dame. I mean, if promoting him is the best move available to the program should Golden leave, by all means do that. I just think there are better options should that time come. Not to mention the situation in terms of the program's standing compared to 6 months ago has changed drastically and there are probably a lot of guys who are now interested that maybe where not before.

IDK, nothing against Mickens, but I think we've built him up into something when in reality they could probably go out and land a stud DC without having to go on the cheap. We're in a whole new era now.

I disagree with this completely. It's like saying Freeman was the "cheap" option. He may have been an unknown and therefore a risk. But he was a calculated risk, not a bargain choice.

Mickens would not be the "cheap" option. He is clearly an outstanding coach and recruiter. If they think they need to give him help adjusting, they can go get an experienced coach as an assistant DC.

 

[IrishTusker]

So....the most vomit inducing scenario is:

We lose on Monday
Golden departs for NFL
Day bolts for NFL
OSU hires Freeman

We're left in a state of rebuilding the staff just when the arrow was pointing up more than at any time in the past 2 decades.

My battered fan just won't let go, even after this magical run.

OSU will almost certainly come after MF if Day leaves, and whether it happens soon or years in the future. I have no idea if MF would leave for OSU or not, but he went there and is from Ohio and so its certainly possible. (It would be different if we were talking about other ND coaches about whom that isn't true.) My impression is that OSU fans like and respect MF, and even if he loses to OSU they know its probably going to be about a talent gap. They are also into the idea of an alum/someone from Ohio who "gets" the UM rivalry, etc.

I hope ND is ready if that happens. It's possible Day would prefer the NFL, I don't know. But he is pretty young too and hopefully stays at OSU for awhile.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I think it's possible that collectively as a message board we overvalue Mickens' potential as the Defensive Coordinator of Notre Dame. I mean, if promoting him is the best move available to the program should Golden leave, by all means do that. I just think there are better options should that time come. Not to mention the situation in terms of the program's standing compared to 6 months ago has changed drastically and there are probably a lot of guys who are now interested that maybe where not before.

IDK, nothing against Mickens, but I think we've built him up into something when in reality they could probably go out and land a stud DC without having to go on the cheap. We're in a whole new era now.

I don't think it's people wanting to go cheap or internal.

I think Mickens has shown an unmatched ability to identify talent and coach it up quickly and we've never had that in the secondary at this level. Losing that, which is a potential, if we go out and hire a stud DC without giving Mickens the opportunity would result in at least two key members from the defensive staff being replaced.

It's such a tightrope, I don't think any of us believe Mickens should be elevated if Freeman believes someone else is better prepared for the role. Mickens and Golden have worked magic together so it's tough to imagine either/both not being a part of the future.

Just a reminder, Mickens identified the #60 ranked CB and turned him into the freshman defensive player of the year and a top 3-5 CB in college football. Before that, there was Hamilton, Morrison, X. Watts, C. Gray, all the excellent nickels.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I disagree with this completely. It's like saying Freeman was the "cheap" option. He may have been an unknown and therefore a risk. But he was a calculated risk, not a bargain choice.

Mickens would not be the "cheap" option. He is clearly an outstanding coach and recruiter. If they think they need to give him help adjusting, they can go get an experienced coach as an assistant DC.

Marcus Freeman was hired by Notre Dame with half a decade of DC experience. Mickens right now has none. They also "bought high" on Freeman considering the 2018-20 seasons the Bearcats had.

Mickens can coach DBs and recruit. Assuming they MUST promote him to defensive coordinator in order not to lose him is presumptuous. There is far more risk in handing him the keys as a first time DC than there was hiring Freeman from Cincinnati. Is he qualified and is he ready?

 

[Calabrese's People]

Mickens/Belk 2025
Let Biagi coach kickers again...

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I don't think it's people wanting to go cheap or internal.

I think Mickens has shown an unmatched ability to identify talent and coach it up quickly and we've never had that in the secondary at this level. Losing that, which is a potential, if we go out and hire a stud DC without giving Mickens the opportunity would result in at least two key members from the defensive staff being replaced.

It's such a tightrope, I don't think any of us believe Mickens should be elevated if Freeman believes someone else is better prepared for the role. Mickens and Golden have worked magic together so it's tough to imagine either/both not being a part of the future.

Just a reminder, Mickens identified the #60 ranked CB and turned him into the freshman defensive player of the year and a top 3-5 CB in college football. Before that, there was Hamilton, Morrison, X. Watts, C. Gray, all the excellent nickels.

The people in The Gug know if Mickens is ready for being DC of Notre Dame should the time come. I'll let them decide. Apart from that, I don't think that him being a good recruiter and DB coach makes him ready if Golden leaves. I don't have anything to base it on other than that, so I'm choosing not to.

I thought life wasn't going to go on without Mike Elston, yet here we are.