Updated Jan. 25, 2026, 10:10 p.m. ET
Jesse Minter has been the Ravens‘ coach for less than a week, and he’s set to make his most important hire. According to Blue & Gold, Notre Dame defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Mike Mickens will depart South Bend and join Minter’s staff in Baltimore.
Mickens could replace Donald D’Alesio, who joined the Ravens as the defensive backs coach in 2025, after spending the past five seasons coaching within the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense (safeties, 2022-24, and defensive assistant, 2021).
Mickens was Notre Dame’s defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the past two seasons after working his way up from being the Irish cornerbacks coach.
Mickens began his coaching career in 2011 as a defensive assistant with Cincinnati and held the same position with Indiana State on Minter’s staff. At Cincinnati, Mickens helped Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner earn Freshman All-American status before he developed into the Jets’ fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Mickens secured a position on Brian Kelly’s staff at Notre Dame in 2020. The following season, when Marcus Freeman took over as head coach, Mickens became an essential member of Freeman’s coaching team. By 2023, Notre Dame ranked among the best in the nation in pass defense, allowing only 5.4 yards per attempt and ranking among the top in total passing yards allowed.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.