Notre Dame’s secondary, long a cornerstone of the program’s defensive identity, is heading into unfamiliar territory. Mike Mickens, the architect behind the Irish’s recent dominance in the back end, is officially on his way to the NFL, joining the Baltimore Ravens’ staff. And with that, the Irish lose not just a coach, but a program-changer.
Mickens arrived in South Bend in 2020 and wasted no time making his mark. He quickly became one of the most respected defensive backs coaches in the country-not just for his on-field results, but for his relentless recruiting and eye for talent. Under his watch, Notre Dame didn’t just field solid secondaries-they built one of the most feared pass defenses in college football.
Let’s talk numbers, because they tell the story. In 2023 and 2024, Notre Dame led the nation in opponent passer rating.
That’s not a fluke. That’s scheme, development, and execution-all areas where Mickens thrived.
The Irish also finished top 10 in passing yards allowed per attempt in both of those seasons, routinely suffocating opposing quarterbacks and forcing them into mistakes.
Turnovers? They came in bunches.
Notre Dame ranked fourth nationally in interceptions in 2025 with 21 picks, and fifth in 2024 with 19. And it wasn’t just about splash plays-the consistency was there, too.
The Irish allowed the lowest completion percentage in the country in 2024, were second in 2023, and still a very respectable 15th in 2025.
That kind of production doesn’t happen without talent, and Mickens was a driving force in bringing it to South Bend. He had a knack for unearthing under-the-radar gems-guys like Leonard Moore, Benjamin Morrison, and Adon Shuler-and turning them into impact players. Moore and Xavier Watts became All-Americans under his watch, with Watts earning back-to-back honors in 2023 and 2024.
But Mickens wasn’t just finding diamonds in the rough. He was also landing blue-chip prospects. The Irish’s current pipeline includes elite talents like Christian Gray and Tae Johnson, and the incoming class is headlined by five-star safety Joey O’Brien and five-star cornerback Khary Adams-both of whom committed with Mickens leading the charge.
Now, Notre Dame faces a massive challenge. Head coach Marcus Freeman has to replace not just a great position coach, but someone who brought elite-level recruiting, evaluation, and development to the table. That’s a rare combination, and it won’t be easy to find.
Complicating matters is the fact that this isn’t just one change-it’s part of a broader overhaul. With Mickens gone, the 2024 defensive staff is essentially wiped clean.
No coach from that group will be in the same role heading into next season. This is a full reset.
There’s some stability in the mix, though. Chris Ash, who’s taken on a larger role in shaping the defense, was instrumental in bringing in Charlie Partridge to lead the defensive line. Ash’s influence will likely extend to the secondary hire as well, and whoever steps into Mickens’ shoes will be doing so with his stamp of approval.
Still, let’s be clear: replacing Mike Mickens is no small task. His departure marks the end of a remarkable run for Notre Dame’s secondary-one built on sharp evaluation, elite development, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Irish now face the challenge of maintaining that standard in a post-Mickens era.