Notre Dame Coach Mike Mickens Joins NFL Ranks
Mike Mickens, a renowned secondary coach, has transitioned from college football to the NFL. He is set to join the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff under new head coach Jesse Minter. This marks a significant step in Mickens’ career, following his successful tenure at Notre Dame.
Mike Mickens: Coaching Background
Mickens began his coaching journey in 2011 as a defensive assistant at Cincinnati. Since then, he has held multiple coaching positions:
- 2011: Cincinnati Defensive Assistant
- 2012: Indiana State Defensive Assistant
- 2013: Idaho Cornerbacks Coach
- 2014-2017: Bowling Green Cornerbacks Coach
- 2018-2019: Cincinnati Cornerbacks Coach
- 2020-2022: Notre Dame Cornerbacks Coach
- 2023-2026: Notre Dame Cornerbacks/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
Success at Notre Dame
Joining Notre Dame in 2020, Mickens quickly proved himself as a leader in developing defensive backs. In his first year, he helped cornerback Nick McCloud achieve All-ACC Third Team honors.
In subsequent seasons, he played a critical role in the development of talents like Clarence Lewis and Cam Hart, who both became full-time starters. His efforts culminated in 2022 when Benjamin Morrison, a new enrollee, was named a Freshman All-American—the first for Notre Dame since 2012.
Record-Breaking Defense
Under Mickens’ guidance, Notre Dame’s secondary excelled, allowing just 5.4 yards per attempt in 2023. This performance ranked them among the nation’s elite pass defenses.
The following year mirrored this success with Leonard Moore becoming a Freshman All-American and earning accolades as the FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.
Influential Players Developed
Mickens has been pivotal in shaping several notable players. Xavier Watts emerged as a two-time second-team consensus All-American, recording 13 interceptions over two seasons.
His coaching legacy also includes “Sauce” Gardner, whom he helped achieve Freshman All-American status at Cincinnati before Gardner was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Looking Ahead with the Baltimore Ravens
Now as he joins the Baltimore Ravens, Mickens will reunite with former Notre Dame players Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman. This connection could create a strong synergy in the defensive unit.
As Mickens embarks on this new chapter, his proven track record as a defensive backs coach suggests he will continue to impact the game at the professional level.
