ND Defensive Coordinator search- 2025

[jpachuta33]

The fact that this guy was a pro scout last year and not even a coach speaks volumes. This is like asking the custodian who graduated high school in six years that reads at an 8th grade level to be superintendent.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

After Ty himself turned down the job? That makes some sense.

Ty only turned it down because he didn’t want the fan fair after his defense holds every team scoreless for the season. His humility isn’t talked about enough.

 

[Hautian Domer]

Because Mickens isn’t guaranteed to stick around. According to Brice, he’s still looking at other offers with Freeman trying to convince him to stay.

Mickens is likely looking around because after losing out on Knowles and Leonhard, Freeman is entertaining a “Co-DC” role with Ash.

Going after Knowles and Leonhard first
makes sense — Mickens knows that. They’re proven and experienced. Now, a consolation prize / “Co” role with Ash…?

If I’m Mickens…nah…fuck that. Being tied in with Ash could potentially tank Mickens’ career. Give him the keys or don’t — just don’t be pissed if Mickens moves on and you’re left with Chris fucking Ash leading the defense ….

 

[StPaul_Irish]

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Ummmm

 

[NDPhilly]

Freeman obviously doesnt think Mickens is ready, which differs from what we thought and what the beat thought. That is the real issue here. He also understands Mickens is an absolute stud and that he can’t lose him by bringing in another DC unless it’s a guy that’s Knowles-level.

So now we have to find a veteran guy who is comfortable with a Co-DC Title and understanding that Mickens is really the guy long-term, And that You will help coach him up.

Unfortunately, not a lot of options that would be a good fit for the above. Ash checks the box because of his playcalling experience At the high D1 level, and bc he’s probably desperate for a “big” job like Co-DC at ND.

 

[stpeteirish]

I’m really not comfortable with the co-
coordinator thing it never seems to work out. One will always get frustrated and leave.
Hope Marcus has a plan here But what is it? Mickens has never called the plays so you bring in Ash who has but then what?
Maybe Mickens really just wants to coach DBs ? Doubt it.

 

[ColinKSU]

I think more people should protect their peace when it comes to following this program. It’s the only thing that’s been going OK for me lately.

 

[Irish4life]

I’m really not comfortable with the co-
coordinator thing it never seems to work out. One will always get frustrated and leave.
Hope Marcus has a plan here But what is it? Mickens has never called the plays so you bring in Ash who has but then what?
Maybe Mickens really just wants to coach DBs ? Doubt it.

It worked out just fine for Clemson, they had Co-OCs Jeff Scott and Tony Elliot for the main stretch of their dominance (2015-2019).

 

[T-Boone]

I don't really understand why Mickens needs to have had experience calling plays when Freeman is an experienced DC anyway and he can help him out because he can leave the offence to the very experience OC. Mickens should essentially be co DC with Freeman. Get some experienced dude in to coach the DBs.

 

[GATTACA!]

I don't really understand why Mickens needs to have had experience calling plays when Freeman is an experienced DC anyway and he can help him out because he can leave the offence to the very experience OC. Mickens should essentially be co DC with Freeman. Get some experienced dude in to coach the DBs.

I don't really want Freeman wasting his time calling the defense or having to hold someones hand. There's enough on a HCs plate.

 

[IrishBoognish]

Freeman obviously doesnt think Mickens is ready, which differs from what we thought and what the beat thought. That is the real issue here. He also understands Mickens is an absolute stud and that he can’t lose him by bringing in another DC unless it’s a guy that’s Knowles-level.

So now we have to find a veteran guy who is comfortable with a Co-DC Title and understanding that Mickens is really the guy long-term, And that You will help coach him up.

Unfortunately, not a lot of options that would be a good fit for the above. Ash checks the box because of his playcalling experience At the high D1 level, and bc he’s probably desperate for a “big” job like Co-DC at ND.

this is a very good explanation for what we're seeing and my above question

thank you

 

[rtrn2glory]

Terrible way to wake up.... Scraping the bottom of the barrel for a position that good coaches should be knocking down the door for

 

[NDFAN2008]

Terrible way to wake up.... Scraping the bottom of the barrel for a position that good coaches should be knocking down the door for

I mean we don't know the outcome, maybe Mickens said he wants to stay here but isn't 100% ready to call plays. Maybe that's why you bring in Ash to keep Mickens. How would fans feel if we brought in Rossi and Mickens bounces? Mickens is the man reason why the defense has been as good as it's been.

 

[Hautian Domer]

It worked out just fine for Clemson, they had Co-OCs Jeff Scott and Tony Elliot for the main stretch of their dominance (2015-2019).

A broken clock is right twice a day. I wouldn’t necessarily hate the Co role if it was with a an elite coach. I’m not sure what Ash brings to the table…that 2014 Ohio State year was his first on the job. Fickell was Co-DC at Ohio State a few years prior. That was Fickell’s defense. Ash rides his coattails and then takes the Rutgers head coaching job to amass an impressive 8-32 record. After an impressive 52-0 loss to Michigan, Rutgers canned him 4 games into the season — 4. Who does that? 😆 I get it in November, but you’re hardly out of the month of September and Rutgers is tapping out. Then, he takes the DC role at Texas…brace yourself if you happen to take a look at the scores they were giving up.

 

[Hautian Domer]

I mean we don't know the outcome, maybe Mickens said he wants to stay here but isn't 100% ready to call plays. Maybe that's why you bring in Ash to keep Mickens. How would fans feel if we brought in Rossi and Mickens bounces? Mickens is the man reason why the defense has been as good as it's been.

It appears Ash’s “specialty” is at defensive backs. How is this thing going to work? There’s thousands of coaches out there…why force a square peg into a round hole?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Is argue that CO-DC makes more sense than CO-OC. I think with offensive play calling the kitchen gets crowded more easily

 

[Irishbounty28]

Very similar to how Marcus Freeman rolled into his Defensive Coordinator position at Purdue. He began as a Co-DC when they brought in an outside coach to share duties with him. Worked out okay for Freeman, not so much for the other guy.

 

[Irish#1]

View attachment 3058071

I wonder if he knows Radar O'Reilly?

The only way Mickens stays is if he gets a guarantee to be the next DC after splitting duties, but I'm not sure that works. Regardless of the relationship, I have to think that Micken's didn't take the news that MF is going to look outside with enthusiasm. The only way I would stay is with a very nice increase in salary.

I'll reserve judgement on Ash. This board wasn't real excited when Harry, Rudolph & Elko were hired.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I'm not pissing my pants about Chris Ash getting this job, but I'm not really excited about him being hired either.

Which is kind of where I stood when Freeman hired Al Golden.

It's a hell of an opportunity for whoever gets the job when you consider the last four guys to have had it are now HC at TAMU, HC at Vanderbilt, HC at Notre Dame and the DC of the Cincinnati Bengals.

I think Marcus knows more about this situation than any of us do, so the optics are going to be what they are. Dude had a rough patch at a couple stops, wound up in the NFL coaching DBs and did not have a football job during the 2024 season. What I like most is that he's done three years in the NFL as an assistant coach and has picked NFL concepts of playing defense.

Sort of like Al Golden did.

 

[stpeteirish]

Ash’s resume does look a lot like Golden’s. Maybe that’s what they’re looking for.
Mikens is three years closer to a DC job and supposedly mentored by MF and Golden and getting passed over. That’s what I’m worried about.
Meyer hired the guy twice. That’s good, unless he’s crazy like Meyer is.

 

[Hautian Domer]

Ash’s resume does look a lot like Golden’s. Maybe that’s what they’re looking for.
Mikens is three years closer to a DC job and supposedly mentored by MF and Golden and getting passed over. That’s what I’m worried about.
Meyer hired the guy twice. That’s good, unless he’s crazy like Meyer is.

With Knowles, we knew we were fighting against Ohio State, Oklahoma and Penn State.

Is anyone else fighting for Ash as their DC? Serious question. And if so, what schools are we competing against?

 

[KPENN]

With Knowles, we knew we were fighting against Ohio State, Oklahoma and Penn State.

Is anyone else fighting for Ash as their DC? Serious question. And if so, what schools are we competing against?

What schools were competing for Al Golden when ND hired him?

 

[Hautian Domer]

What schools were competing for Al Golden when ND hired him?

Their resumes aren’t one and the same

 

[NDFAN2008]

With Knowles, we knew we were fighting against Ohio State, Oklahoma and Penn State.

Is anyone else fighting for Ash as their DC? Serious question. And if so, what schools are we competing against?

Many Ohio State fans sounded like they wanted him back

 

[brewdog_14527]

Is it strange that none of the sites at this point are reporting this? And they have had articles come out since this was said. So people are working.

 

[IrishTusker]

OSU got a sitting HC at a major program to leave and become their OC. They can get whoever they want as DC.

As for ND, who knows what happens if this turns into a fiasco. Is the DC at Penn HS available?

 

[Huntr]

Golden was a successful HC at Temple.

Where has Ash been a successful HC?

Further, that both were pulled from the NFL and were failed HCs at one time doesn't really mean anything.

What does Ash bring to the table that makes you want him as DC?

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Their resumes aren’t one and the same

Your question is, though.

Was anyone fighting ND for Al Golden to be their DC when Freeman hired him?

 

[notredomer23]

Some Thoughts on Ash as DC

Some Thoughts on Ash as DC

247sports.com

Prister’s take makes this sound like not a fit at all. Says he has a prick coaching style, treats players like dogs, etc that won’t work at ND