Mike Mickens, Notre Dame’s secondary coach, has rapidly emerged as one of the country’s most popular assistant coaches.
The former Cincinnati standout transformed the Irish’s historically weak position into one of the nation’s strongest teams, despite occasional lack of depth.
Notre Dame concluded the year ranked first in pass efficiency defense, despite being without All-American Benjamin Morrison for the most of the season.
How did Mickens do it?
The former first-team All-American played cornerback in college, and Mickens has one of the best eyes for cornerback talent, regardless of ranking. Sauce Gardner, Benjamin Morrison, and Leonard Moore are prime examples of his ability to spot talent.
Mickens, like many coaches, has a specialized procedure for identifying talent that can not only play for Notre Dame but also be selected in the NFL draft.
The former first-team All-American played cornerback in college, and Mickens has one of the best eyes for cornerback talent, regardless of ranking. Sauce Gardner, Benjamin Morrison, and Leonard Moore are prime examples of his ability to spot talent.
Mickens, like many coaches, has a specialized procedure for identifying talent that can not only play for Notre Dame but also be selected in the NFL draft.
“I like to see how they physically move and how their feet are,” Mickens told me. “Do they make good open-field tackles? What is their range? There is a physical component there. That’s where I really start in terms of physicality.
“Do they do any other sports? Are they basketball players? Do they run track? I’d like to get a sense of the athletic ability and makeup. Then it moves on to the mental aspect of the game.
Notre Dame is now in a situation where Mickens can be more selective in his recruiting efforts. Mickens does not offer 20-30 cornerbacks per cycle, so any offer is notable.
And, yes, there must be an athletic fit, but also a cultural fit with Notre Dame and the room he has worked relentlessly to establish.
“It’s more about what fits Notre Dame and fits our room or what we want in our room,” Mickens told me. “It is more about being picky than athletic ability. Athletes are athletes. “Are you an athlete who will thrive in our room?”
2025 signee Dallas Golden and junior cornerback Christian Gray are two excellent instances of Mickens following through on his plan.
Gray and Golden are two extremely distinct athletes with high-profile recruits, so it’s unlikely to find a thin Gardner off the main road.
Nonetheless, Mickens prioritized these prospects over several other outstanding prospects because they checked the boxes he had established in his evaluation methodology.
“They are both freak athletes,” Mickens explained.”When you turn on Dallas’ film, he does everything. He is a running back, safety, cornerback, and receiver. He can play everything. It speaks something about his athleticism and football expertise that he can play many positions and be effective in each of them.
“Christian is wirey. When he arrived at camp, we knew he was something special right away. He has coverage ability and used to run track in high school. “Two different players, both very athletic.”
Mickens took up the role of secondary coach last year after Chris O’Leary left for the NFL. The evaluation method does not alter significantly from a baseline perspective.
Given the change in position, Mickens is still seeking for a specific fit.
“It’s the same process,” Mickens remarked. “You want them to be able to fit into the box better. Do they have enough range to reach the deep half and deep post? Football IQ is key since they have more to handle with run fits and rotations. You want to see their mental makeup. Are they vocal leaders? Leadership is vital.
Marcus Freeman has emphasized the necessity of live evaluations in Notre Dame’s recruitment process. Mickens agrees, citing the importance of school workouts or camps in determining who can and cannot check the athletic boxes.
“It’s the same process,” Mickens remarked. “You want them to be able to fit into the box better. Do they have enough range to reach the deep half and deep post? Football IQ is key since they have more to handle with run fits and rotations. You want to see their mental makeup. Are they vocal leaders? Leadership is vital.
Marcus Freeman has emphasized the necessity of live evaluations in Notre Dame’s recruitment process. Mickens agrees, citing the importance of school workouts or camps in determining who can and cannot check the athletic boxes.
“You see one thing on film, but then gain clarification when you see it live,” Mickens remarked. “It’s exactly like the NFL combine.
“When you watch how hard they work on the field, or it may be a movement that wasn’t captured in their film. You can see it. That is why life is vital. For me, the best evaluation is always to be alive.”
