ND Defensive Coordinator search- 2025

[CanadalovesND]

I don’t trust Knowles decision making. Guys like 70 years old with a fiancé

People get divorced. Then those same people may find another partner to spend their lives with. Shocker, right.

 

[NDohio]

Re: Mickens vs. Not Mickens

If it's not Mickens, what do we think is the reason(s)?

• Freeman thinks he's not ready?
• Freeman doesn't doubt that he could do it, but thinks it's better for him to stay with current responsibilities?
• Mickens thinks he's not ready?
• Mickens isn't interested and is happy as is?
• Wanting new perspective/ideas from outside of the program?

Marcus doesn't want a first time DC leading this defense?

 

[thekid33]

Marcus doesn't want a first time DC leading this defense?

I suppose. I didn't really consider that, obviously. Personally, I think if you had an offensive minded HC that's more of a concern. I'd trust MF plus the experience gained under Denbrock to negate that factor. Not saying it has to be him. But, I'll be comfy if it is.

 

[Giddyup]

Re: Mickens vs. Not Mickens

If it's not Mickens, what do we think is the reason(s)?

• Freeman thinks he's not ready?
• Freeman doesn't doubt that he could do it, but thinks it's better for him to stay with current responsibilities?
• Mickens thinks he's not ready?
• Mickens isn't interested and is happy as is?
• Wanting new perspective/ideas from outside of the program?

It’s been 2 days

 

[FDNYIrish1]

People get divorced. Then those same people may find another partner to live their lives with. Shocker, right.

No shit. Ya don’t say. Thanks for clarifying a clearly joking post for me.

 

[CanadalovesND]

No shit. Ya don’t say. Thanks for clarifying a clearly joking post for me.

One too many turds on here that sound sarcastic with their takes, but are not.

I'll make a note that you are a sarcastic cat, and not a turd.

 

[thekid33]

It’s been 2 days

I know. Just asking the questions. I'm all for good search. It just is interesting that there seems to be such a strong split between guys that cover the team on "It will end up being him" or "It's definitely not him."

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I think after a national championship and #1 NFL defense he deserves another shot

Those were Jesse Minter's defenses, not Elston's.

If Marcus wants to hire Minter, sign me the fuck up for that.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Respectfully, I think you are mixing up Head Coach Jimmy Lake with Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach Jimmy Lake.

Dude was Mike Mickens before Mike Mickens, with a legacy of draft picks to go with the development. If you look at all of the players he recruited to UW and/or developed it's insane. Seriously, unreal.

Budda Baker, Sydney Jones, Kevin King, Byron Murphy, Ezekiel Turner, Taylor Rapp, Jordan Miller, Elijah Molden, Keith Taylor, Trent McDuffie, Kyler Gordon, Dominique Hampton. All guys from 2018-2024 draft classes that were selected in the NFL draft or started for NFL teams. A lot of these players were recruited heavily by ND, too.

I wouldn't write him off as a candidate if he wants back in to college one day and would be ok with coaching DBs.

The guy was suspended for getting into a physical altercation with a player. Everywhere he's gone, people have discussed how difficult a personality he is. He was also terrible with Atlanta this year.

Hard pass.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

We’re back in the club. ND is hot again. You know what you have internally with Mickens. Can’t hurt to drop some lines and see if you can get any big fish to bite.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

One too many turds on here that sound sarcastic with their takes, but are not.

I'll make a note that you are a sarcastic cat, and not a turd.

Yeah 24 years in my job has turned me into a sarcastic bastard. Most regulars know I’m harmless and am actually a huge defender and supporter of this team.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

If it's true we're willing to go into the $3-3.5 million range, then that puts a whole lot of DCs in play, guys like Haines, Kwiatkowski, Golding, or Parker. Absolute floor on this hire should be Leonhard.

It puts everyone in play. Blake Baker at LSU is said to be the highest paid at $2.5M.

For anything over that, everyone is fair game. Call Lynn at USC.

 

[Sea Turtle]

It’s been 2 days

Yeah but 14 in dog days.

 

[Free Manera]

It puts everyone in play. Blake Baker at LSU is said to be the highest paid at $2.5M.

For anything over that, everyone is fair game. Call Lynn at USC.

Lynn just reupped with SC because PSU tried to poach him.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Lynn just reupped with SC because PSU tried to poach him.

Totally missed this. They also hired Rob Ryan as LB coach. Wow.

 

[Free Manera]

Totally missed this. They also hired Rob Ryan as LB coach. Wow.

 

[Irish4life]

Prister reporting that ND is trying to hire Jim Leonhard and Mickens as Co-DCs

 

[Giddyup]

That’d be a helluva combo

 

[KPENN]

Prister reporting that ND is trying to hire Jim Leonhard and Mickens as Co-DCs

Yes please

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Props to Jim Knowles for having a fiance at that age...and being old/ wise enough to have her live about 850 miles away so he can live in peace and quiet after work.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Any flights from Denver to South Bend?

 

[IrishTusker]

Do co-DCs really work? Who will calls plays? (Not saying I wouldn't be okay with it as a fan.)

 

[jpachuta33]

Prister reporting that ND is trying to hire Jim Leonhard and Mickens as Co-DCs

 

[EvilleIrish]

Any flights from Denver to South Bend?

 

[rtrn2glory]

Great work gents

 

[NDMatt91]

View attachment 3058040

It seems like the only knock on him is he might be an even lazier recruiter than Al Golden.

 

[Giddyup]

It seems like the only knock on him is he might be an even lazier recruiter than Al Golden.

Perfect

 

[calvegas04]

Flight trackin Season

 

[rtrn2glory]

Recruiting is NIL driven and we have the best recruiter in the country in MFMF when you put money off the table.

Get this dude signed so we can get shit kick everyone on defense next year

 

[rtrn2glory]

I remember back in 21 how much trouble we had running the ball on them in soldier field