Al Golden

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Worth noting that Al Golden was not some mastermind DC when we hired him. Freeman obviously absolutely nailed the hire, but i'm sure it was very collaborative between the two of them. Golden really didnt have a ton of experience calling defenses.

View attachment 3057982

I'm sure we can dig back into the threads and look at the names we were throwing out about DC at the time. Al Golden wasn't on anyone's list here. Which should come as a shock to no one.

So again, this idea that Mickens has to be promoted I will leave entirely up to Freeman because it's ultimately his call and he will make that call because Mickens is the guy. Not because he can recruit and coach DBs so he can't ever leave the program.

I would do a search and find the next guy. If that guy is Mickens, you don't have to go far.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

I'm sure we can dig back into the threads and look at the names we were throwing out about DC at the time. Al Golden wasn't on anyone's list here. Which should come as a shock to no one.

So again, this idea that Mickens has to be promoted I will leave entirely up to Freeman because it's ultimately his call and he will make that call because Mickens is the guy. Not because he can recruit and coach DBs so he can't ever leave the program.

I would do a search and find the next guy. If that guy is Mickens, you don't have to go far.

Joe Rossi and Doug Belk were 2 that I remember.​

 

[Calabrese's People]

Marcus Freeman is on the phone with Kerry Coombs right now isn't he?

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Didn’t Mickey’s and Freeman go to HS together? There’s a long standing personal and professional relationship there and will be telling if he gets his button or not. We will see.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Didn’t Mickey’s and Freeman go to HS together? There’s a long standing personal and professional relationship there and will be telling if he gets his button or not. We will see.

Yes
Mickens has earned it regardless, so I won't cry nepotism
But - in the event Mick were to ever struggle I hope Freeman can say bye faster than Kelly could to his buddy BVG

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Yes
Mickens has earned it regardless, so I won't cry nepotism
But - in the event Mick were to ever struggle I hope Freeman can say bye faster than Kelly could to his buddy BVG

My thought was more along the lines of whether or not MF deems him ready for the big job. My bad if it came across as me accusing nepotism. The man is a fantastic coach

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Joe Rossi and Doug Belk were 2 that I remember.​

Correct.

Heacock was a name flying around as well.

 

[notredomer23]

Obligatory Jim Leonhard post. Actually makes some sense to be honest since we don't need an LB coach and he can coach safeties.

 

[IrishWayDomer]

Obligatory Jim Leonhard post. Actually makes some sense to be honest since we don't need an LB coach and he can coach safeties.

Also hates recruiting. He's like a Al Golden clone. Sign him up!

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Take a swing for Pete Kwiatkowski.

 

[benneboy]

I'm sure it's a pipe dream and mostly kidding but just bring in Anthony Weaver and go win a championship.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Man - if we gamble on an outside DC and Mick were to walk and our new guy misses - I'd be so sad lol

 

[MacIrish75]

I'm sure it's a pipe dream and mostly kidding but just bring in Anthony Weaver and go win a championship.

Man that would be an absolute slam dunk…except basically his entire career is in the NFL and he’s getting some interviews for HC jobs now.

 

[GATTACA!]

Man - if we gamble on an outside DC and Mick were to walk and our new guy misses - I'd be so sad lol

I doubt it would be in favor if Mickens moving on. Look how long Hartline has been the WR coach at OSU.

 

[tko]

Marcus Freeman is on the phone with Kerry Coombs right now isn't he?

Kerry struggled as a DC, however, his passion for coaching and teaching is incredible. He's also a tremendous recruiter. DB coaching is his niche.

 

[Irish4life]

We are not hiring an external DC. Our HC spent all season talking about how Mickens was ready to be a defensive coordinator for a reason

 

[GATTACA!]

Are there any dline ace recruiters that could fit? I feel like between Freeman and Mickens we have the second and third levels locked down.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Worth noting that Al Golden was not some mastermind DC when we hired him. Freeman obviously absolutely nailed the hire, but i'm sure it was very collaborative between the two of them. Golden really didnt have a ton of experience calling defenses.

View attachment 3057982

This is why I believe they hire Mickens and Freeman will most likely do the defensive play calling or majority year 1 and groom Mickens. Then let him take over for good after year 1.

 

[KPENN]

This is why I believe they hire Mickens and Freeman will most likely do the defensive play calling or majority year 1 and groom Mickens. Then let him take over for good after year 1.

I don’t want MF calling defense. I hate when the HC calls plays. He really seemed to find his groove this year and I don’t want that getting messed up. Just my opinion

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

This is why I believe they hire Mickens and Freeman will most likely do the defensive play calling or majority year 1 and groom Mickens. Then let him take over for good after year 1.

Hard to not feel like this was already happening at least this year if not last as well under AG. I am sure Marcus isnt naive enough to think he was going to have AG here more than 5 years at best.

 

[NDFAN2008]

If you aren't going to go and hire Mickens Tony White makes the most sense don't know what his buy out is though.

 

[KPENN]

Call Saban

 

[irishu]

Out: Del
In: Mel

 

[NDPhilly]

Also wonder if Al Washington will be out if he's passed up for Mickens. He's technically the run game coordinator.

 

[RipWheeler]

Also wonder if Al Washington will be out if he's passed up for Mickens. He's technically the run game coordinator.

I suspect that’s a trade off most would be ok with if it were to happen.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Al has been great. I do wonder though the involvement that Mickens has on coverage schemes. The reason the defense has worked so well is due to coverage. Curious how much of that was Al driven versus Mick and Freeman.

 

[benneboy]

How do we get Pat Kuntz on the staff? Seems to be killing it 3 years in a row with a bunch of no names.

 

[rtrn2glory]

What about Tyler Stockton?

 

[NDWarrior]

If for some reason Mickens is not promoted to DC, how about we swap Golden for Golding from Ole Miss?

 

[Pennick44]

I hope they cast a very wide net in trying to replace him. It's how they found him in the first place. He wasn't on anyone's radar by any stretch when Freeman was hired.

The replacement is on the staff...Mickens.