Notre Dame’s search to replace elite DB coach Mike Mickens just got a lot more complicated following most recent news

The Notre Dame quest to replace Mike Mickens just got a lot more interesting.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman looks on in the second half of a NCAA football game against NC State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in South Bend.

When Notre Dame football learned that secondary coach Mike Mickens was taking a job with the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish were pressed with trying to replace one of the best position coaches in program history.

While fully replacing Mickens’ recruiting and development impact won’t be easy, some intriguing names have surfaced quickly. That included current Oklahoma Sooners co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Jay Valai.

With so many on the Notre Dame beat reporting interest in Valai, it is safe to say that the intel is legitimate. When it comes to their push for the Sooners’ assistant, however, things just got a lot more complicated. Multiple members on the Oklahoma side have reported that Valai has accepted a new contract. According to that report, he is set to make $750,000 in 2026.

That move by Valai would indicate he has no intention of leaving Norman, but it is uncertain whether it will scare Notre Dame away from pursuing him. The Irish program has plenty of money to throw around and could potentially pitch a promotion to coach the full secondary. Things feel less and less likely that Valai will be the next secondary coach right now, but seeing where Notre Dame goes from here will be interesting.

Evaluating other options may be wise right now, and certainly for the fanbase.

Connection to DC Chris Ash 

Just this offseason, we have seen Ash play a big role in an Irish coaching hire. When former linebacker coach Max Bullough left to take the defensive coordinator job at Michigan State, Notre Dame chose to move Al Washington over to the spot after serving as the defensive line coach. A big reason for that, outside of the confidence in Washington to coach linebackers, was the program’s interest in Charlie Partridge. Ash worked with Partridge at Wisconsin, and it’s clear there’s comfort there.

Ash’s input on the potential search certainly contributed to the early interest in Valai. Not only is he one of “Ash’s buddies,” but Valai is also one of the better cornerback coaches in college football. That fit would have made a ton of sense. The Irish may have to pivot to other potential fits with the recent news, which is a slight early bummer.

Jay Valai’s career background 

A four-year letterman and team captain for the Wisconsin Badgers, Valai finished his collegiate career with 153 total tackles, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles. After his playing career, Valai opened a sports performance training facility, which he ran for six years until 2016. 

He began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach with the Georgia Bulldogs from 2016-17. That stop would land Valai in the same role for a year with the Kansas City Chiefs. His return to college in 2019 was a part of Ash’s staff while with Rutgers. Valai would then follow Ash to the Texas Longhorns the next year. 

After a brief stop with Alabama in 2021, Valai has coached the Sooners’ cornerbacks over the last four seasons. He also holds the Co-Defensive Coordinator title under head coach Brent Venables. 

Related Articles