Marcus Freeman says this Notre Dame coach is ready to move up

Mike Mickens has the coaching ability to move on — but the Irish hope it’s not anytime soon.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] has high praise for one of his assistant coaches — but he also doesn’t want that coach to leave for a promotion anytime soon.

Pete Sampson, The Athletic’s Notre Dame beat writer, quotes Freeman heaping praise on [autotag]Mike Mickens[/autotag], who is the defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator for the Irish.

Of the 37-year-old Mickens, Freeman said this: “He’s ready to be a defensive coordinator when he gets the right opportunity. But I’m not excited to see him leaving our defensive staff anytime soon.”

This is how coaching works, of course — young assistants who do a good job get a shot to move up to a higher level. And given how well the Notre Dame secondary has played in 2024, Mickens has definitely had an impact.

Notre Dame fans likely have the same position as Freeman — let Mickens stay as long as possible, given the secondary’s success.

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Image courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics

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