Notre Dame secondary coach Mike Mickens has developed into one of the premier defensive backs coaches in college football and now he’ll get the opportunity to prove it at the next level.
According to multiple sources, Mickens is set to join the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff, working under new head coach Jesse Minter. Tyler Horka was the first to report.
Mickens arrived in South Bend in 2020 and quickly established himself as an elite developer of talent in the Irish secondary.
In his first season, he helped transfer cornerback Nick McCloud earn All-ACC Third Team honors. A year later, Mickens developed Clarence Lewis and Cam Hart into full-time starters.
His most impressive early work came in 2022, when Benjamin Morrison, a June enrollee, emerged as a Freshman All-American—the first Notre Dame player to earn that distinction since 2012.
Following that season, Mickens was promoted to secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator. In 2023, Notre Dame finished among the nation’s best pass defenses, allowing just 5.4 yards per attempt and ranking near the top nationally in total passing yards allowed.
It was déjà vu in 2024. Mickens developed Leonard Moore into another Freshman All-American, with Moore earning FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and College Football Network Freshman Cornerback of the Year honors.
Mickens was also instrumental in the rise of Xavier Watts, who became a two-time second-team consensus All-American. Watts recorded 13 interceptions over the two seasons Mickens worked closely with the safety group.
The crown jewel on Mickens’ résumé remains Sauce” Gardner. While at Cincinnati, Mickens helped Gardner earn Freshman All-American status before he went on to become the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In Baltimore, Mickens will reunite with former Notre Dame standouts Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman.
MICKENS FILE
2011: Cincinnati Defensive Assistant
2012: Indiana State Defensive Assistant
2013: Idaho Cornerbacks
2014-17: Bowling Green Cornerbacks
2018-19: Cincinnati Cornerbacks
2020-22: Notre Dame Cornerbacks
2023-26: Notre Dame Cornerbacks/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
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