Mike Mickens ND CB’s Coach

[Dale]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe title increases are typically handled by the next press conference? They don’t normally just announce it like a hire on a given day.

 

[NotKoon]

This offseason has not been for the faint of heart. Feels like every other day we go from good vibes to bad vibes and back again

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

This offseason has not been for the faint of heart. Feels like every other day we go from good vibes to bad vibes and back again

That's kind of, I don't know, life?

It would be one thing if movement in the coaching profession wasn't normal, but it absolutely is and it's going to happen. Tony Alford, Harry Hiestand, etc. all left the program over the years let somehow they played for a National Championship last month.

 

[BeauBenken]

One person on Twitter saying he's a top candidate does not concern me. Every team should want Mickens. I'll need to see more before I worry.

 

[NotKoon]

That's kind of, I don't know, life?

It would be one thing if movement in the coaching profession wasn't normal, but it absolutely is and it's going to happen. Tony Alford, Harry Hiestand, etc. all left the program over the years let somehow they played for a National Championship last month.

I’m not saying the sky is falling. Just that’s it’s been very eventful with pretty much going one for one bad news then good news for the entire offseason

 

[NDRock]

That's kind of, I don't know, life?

It would be one thing if movement in the coaching profession wasn't normal, but it absolutely is and it's going to happen. Tony Alford, Harry Hiestand, etc. all left the program over the years let somehow they played for a National Championship last month.

We have a top tier HC (IMO), not worried about assistant coach comings and goings.

 

[TorontoGold]

We have a top tier HC, not worried about assistant coach comings and goings.

Fixed. 🔛🔝

 

[NDohio]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe title increases are typically handled by the next press conference? They don’t normally just announce it like a hire on a given day.

Looking at the ND website, the only coaching changes have been departures. Chris Ash has not been added, and there has been no change to Mickens' title. I think you are spot on here.

 

[NDFAN2008]

If I had to chose between letting Mickens take the DC spot vs him not getting it and leaving id take a chance on him being the DC

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I’m not saying the sky is falling. Just that’s it’s been very eventful with pretty much going one for one bad news then good news for the entire offseason

What you and others perceive as bad news is relative.

 

[stpeteirish]

I wouldn’t assume UT as a pay cut, titles notwithstanding. They probably overpay everyone, because they can.

 

[T-Boone]

Are there any DB coaches out there that would be an upgrade on big Mike?

 

[NotKoon]

What you and others perceive as bad news is relative.

Oh yea I’m totally on an island having taken Golden leaving, the Ash hire, Bowden going to SC, DMC leaving and Mickens potentially leaving as bad news 🙄
None of that is sky is falling bad news and DMC and Bowden in particular have been overridden by good news. But I don’t get how you can say this hasn’t been an eventful offseason that’s featured both ups and downs

 

[NDMatt91]

Are there any DB coaches out there that would be an upgrade on big Mike?

I don't see it. He's the best in the business, IMO.

 

[DONTH8]

Only thing I'm wary of with UT would be Leonard Moore sticking or leaving to follow Mickens home if he does leave.

 

[NDohio]

Oh yea I’m totally on an island having taken Golden leaving, the Ash hire, Bowden going to SC, DMC leaving and Mickens potentially leaving as bad news 🙄
None of that is sky is falling bad news and DMC and Bowden in particular have been overridden by good news. But I don’t get how you can say this hasn’t been an eventful offseason that’s featured both ups and downs

But isn't that every offseason? Name one that hasn't fit this criteria? It's the normal business of college football.

 

[NotKoon]

But isn't that every offseason? Name one that hasn't fit this criteria? It's the normal business of college football.

I wouldn’t disagree with that, some are more eventful than others but that is definitely college football. I was literally just trying to make a point about how it’s been an extra exciting offseason because of the pattern it’s played out in. But for some reason he has an issue with me saying there’s been bad news along the way

 

[LifelongFan]

Price of having a great program is other programs are going to want a piece. I'd rather have coaches where you worry about them leaving, not worry if they're good enough. Mickens leaving would really suck, but I trust Freeman to 1) have a program where a position coach leaving doesn't tank the unit and 2) to find the next Mickens out there

 

[Katzenboyer]

I'm just not seeing it. That is a list of candidates; it does not say anything about Mickens being contacted or having expressed any interest.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Oh yea I’m totally on an island having taken Golden leaving, the Ash hire, Bowden going to SC, DMC leaving and Mickens potentially leaving as bad news 🙄
None of that is sky is falling bad news and DMC and Bowden in particular have been overridden by good news. But I don’t get how you can say this hasn’t been an eventful offseason that’s featured both ups and downs

It's the business of football. It is, quite literally, called a carousel for a reason.

You, and others, see ups and downs. I see opportunity. I see completely normal, functional hirings due to departures.

We could have done all of this in December instead, but they went to the championship game and the deck is being reshuffled now.

 

[NDFAN2008]

If Mickens leaves I’d go after the following:
Tim Walton Ohio State
Terry Smith Penn State or Anthony Poindexter

 

[BobbyMac]

Are there any DB coaches out there that would be an upgrade on big Mike?

Has anybody produced more elite corners in the Sauce-LMo era?

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Has anybody produced more elite corners in the Sauce-LMo era?

 

[Irish#1]

It's only one person reporting it, but how connected is this guy? If he's connected then someone has told him these are the guys we have on our target list. Doesn't mean Mickens has agreed to be interviewed.

However, playing devils advocate, it's quite possible that Mickens agent has put feelers out because he's unhappy that he didn't get the DC position and that's why his name has been mentioned.

Knowing the answer to the second part will tell us plenty. If he is unhappy, Mickens will likely be gone somewhere sooner rather than later.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Can Merk comment on the situation

 

[IrishLax]

You all need to get a grip. Of course every single school in the country would have him at the top of their list. There isn’t even a speculative — much less credible — report saying he’s even entertaining the idea.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I’m positive Freeman wouldn’t let Mickens leave for a lateral move they would make him the top paying coach and bump his title

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

You all need to get a grip. Of course every single school in the country would have him at the top of their list. There isn’t even a speculative — much less credible — report saying he’s even entertaining the idea.

Really boils down to this.

I really thought based on a lot of what I'd been hearing that Al Golden was pretty settled in as Notre Dame DC and probably didn't have intentions of going anywhere. That was naive on my part.

None of these guys are fans. None of them are alumni. These are jobs. That's it. They're advancing their careers and or feeding their families. Very simple. Get over the fact that they don't have the emotional attachment to Notre Dame Football and it's going to make consuming this stuff as a fan a hell of a lot easier. Marcus Freeman is hiring well, but these aren't lifetime judicial appointments. He's also hiring young, so he has guys who are going to be in demand that want to be coordinators, head coaches, go the NFL, all of the above.

They're doing a job and getting paid for it. They care, but not the same way we do. That's it. Isn't super complicated. It's not good news, it's not bad news, it just news. It's business.

 

[Dale]

You all need to get a grip. Of course every single school in the country would have him at the top of their list. There isn’t even a speculative — much less credible — report saying he’s even entertaining the idea.

Who is panicking? Nobody is panicking…..

Yikes this would be awful

Why not make him co defensive coordinator makes zero sense

If I had to chose between letting Mickens take the DC spot vs him not getting it and leaving id take a chance on him being the DC

If Mickens leaves I’d go after the following:
Tim Walton Ohio State
Terry Smith Penn State or Anthony Poindexter

Can Merk comment on the situation

I’m positive Freeman wouldn’t let Mickens leave for a lateral move they would make him the top paying coach and bump his title

 

[greyhammer90]

Can Merk comment on the situation

This is why, even if I was an insider, you couldn't pay me to say so on this board.