About this episode
Notre Dame football is undergoing major defensive coaching changes as Al Washington departs for the NFL, Mike Mickens moves on, and Marcus Freeman reshapes the Irish defensive staff ahead of the 2026 season. Tyler Wojciak breaks down why this coaching turnover isn’t a cause for panic, who the top candidates are to replace Mickens, why Jay Valai stands out, and how Notre Dame’s linebacker and secondary rooms are positioned moving forward. Tyler also dives into Keon Keeley’s ceiling, which freshmen could play early, and answers fan questions about quarterback pressure, CJ Carr’s future, and what’s next for the Irish defense. (0:00) - Intro(2:02) - Al Washington Leaves for NFL(12:12) - Staff Shakeup, Potential Candidates(22:42) - Predictions & Hypotheticals Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciakFollow Locked On Irish on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIrishFollow Locked On Irish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedonirishpod/?hl=enSubscribe to Locked on Irish on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC749D_LgykIE8WLu7W4UQlQ Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonirish.supercast.com/ Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. MazdaLike our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count.There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you. Turbo TaxFor a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Rocket MoneyLet Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at
