When the Notre Dame football team was able to hang onto defensive backs coach Mike Mickens, everyone knew the program pulled off a coup. But it’s not just because he’s one of the better coaches at his position.
It turns out that at least according to one of the guy who tracks this kind of thing for a living, Mickens is among the best recruiters in the country.
Notre Dame football has a top recruiter in the country
In fact, Steve Wiltfong recently threw out the people he considers the best recruiters in the sport and the Notre Dame football coach was right at the top of the list. And that is not a list that anyone should take lightly.
There isn’t a ranking, so it’s not clear if Wiltfong is the top recruiter, or one of the Top 10 recruiters in the sport. Either way, Mike Mickens is right there and once again it’s clear the Irish were lucky to keep him in the fold.
Mike Mickens Repping Notre Dame football
In addition to Mickens, Wiltfong named Texas’ Black Gideon, Oregon’s Chris Hampton, Georgia’s James Coley, Alabama’s Chris Kapilovic, Ohio State’s Tim Walton and Brian Hartline, Penn State’s Terry Smith, Tennessee’s Rodner Garner and LSU’s Brad Davis.
It’s worth pointing out that all but two coaches on the list were on teams that went to the College Football Playoffs. They’re guys who bring in talent that stands out among the best of the best. And now the Blue and Gold get to lean on Mickens for one more season.
Granted, it doesn’t feel like Notre Dame football is going to be able to keep Mickens in the fold that much longer. It seemed like he was on his way out this past season. And that was before the program hired Chris Ash as its defensive coordinator. Mickens is interested in running his own defense and that oculd happen as soon as next year. But for now, the Irish have one of the best in the business.