I think for most the answer is going to be yes, especially now with the Portal, NIL, recruiting. I doubt anyone knows what preference Mickens has, but if enough people think highly of you, that word gets to the NFL circles soon enough. We know he can coach DBs and recruit. We don't know what kind of defensive football mind he has or what ambition he has as far as upward mobility.
I also think that we've seen time and time again that assistants come and go but the Gold Dome keeps on spinning. Tony Alford, Mike Elston, Mike Elko, Harry Hiestand, etc. There have been guys that we just can't do without and should give whatever they ask, but life keeps going on. I mean, you've got guys on IE calling Deeland a bum now when two years ago that would have made 99% of ND fans puke coat hangers.