It’s been a series of unfortunate events for Marcus Freeman. First, Notre Dame missed a playoff spot in favor of Miami, so they opted out of the bowl game. Then the head coach got into a scene during his son’s wrestling tournament. Thereafter, his relevance was questioned, and now, one of his most productive defensive assistants is on his way to start a new chapter at a $6.6 billion NFL franchise. 

On January 24, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that the Baltimore Ravens are set to hire Notre Dame DBs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Mike Mickens. He has been one of the quiet pillars of their defensive resurgence, and his exit leaves a huge void. The departure comes at a moment when Marcus Freeman and the Irish are already under national scrutiny.

Mike Mickens’ record in South Bend is difficult to dismiss. After joining Brian Kelly’s staff in 2020, he became even more central when Marcus Freeman took over as head coach. In his first season under Freeman, he helped transfer CB Nick McCloud earn All-ACC Third Team honors. By 2021, Clarence Lewis and Cam Hart were full-time starters. 

The 2022 season marked a turning point. Benjamin Morrison, who enrolled in June, emerged as a Freshman All-American, the first Notre Dame player to earn that honor since 2012. By 2023, the Irish ranked among the nation’s best in pass defense, allowing just 5.4 yards per attempt and finishing near the top in total passing yards allowed. 

In 2024, it happened again. Leonard Moore became another Freshman All-American, winning FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and College Football Network Freshman Cornerback of the Year. In 2025, Notre Dame finished ninth nationally in defensive passing efficiency at 108.80. Yet, there’s already some familiarity playing a role in his NFL decision. 

Mike Mickens and Jesse Minter go back nearly two decades. He was a CB at Cincinnati when Minter was a graduate assistant with the Bearcats in the late 2000s. They later worked together again at Indiana State in 2012. In Baltimore, he is expected to replace Donald D’Alesio, who joined the Ravens in 2025 after spending five seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive staff. 

Mickens will also reunite with former Notre Dame standouts Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman. This hire fits the Ravens’ identity. But for Marcus Freeman, it adds to a growing sense that stability is slipping at the wrong time.

The scrutiny around Marcus Freeman isn’t slowing down

Marcus Freeman has continued to absorb criticism from multiple corners of the sport. Former Auburn QB Cam Newton reignited the debate on ESPN’s First Take.

“Notre Dame hasn’t been relevant in years,” he said. “You take that one national championship with coach Freeman out of the equation, they haven’t been relevant for years.” 

This criticism followed a turbulent stretch. Notre Dame’s decision to sit out its bowl game after being left out of the CFP drew mixed reactions nationally. Marcus Freeman’s brief altercation at a local high school event became a talking point, even if it ultimately amounted to little. Stephen A. Smith also attacked the Irish’s special treatment in the CFP structure.

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“This is sickening,” he said. “Bump Notre Dame. Get your ass in a conference and compete like everybody else.” 

Smith questioned why the Irish receive automatic inclusion into the CFP if ranked in the top 12, while also pointing out their partial ACC membership across other sports. Losing Mike Mickens does not define Marcus Freeman’s tenure. But combined with the noise, the criticism, and the timing, it sharpens every question already being asked.