Notre Dame Expected to Hire Aaron Henry as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach
- Liam Gaudet
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
After losing DB Coach Mike Mickens to the NFL, Marcus Freeman moved swiftly to name a successor. Aaron Henry, the former DC and DB's coach at the University of Illinois, will be taking on a similar role with the Fighting Irish.
Photo via The University of Illinois
Henry's playing days began in Wisconsin, where he played safety for four seasons with the Badgers, earning Academic All-Big Ten selection three times. Henry finished his career with the Badgers, totalling 181 tackles, 7 TFL's, 4.5 sacks, and 7 interceptions. He would eventually be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders; however, his professional career was short-lived.
After being released by the Raiders, Henry's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Arkansas alongside his former HC, Bret Bielema, at Wisconsin. He would leave after two seasons to join current Notre Dame DC Chris Ash at Rutgers to coach defensive backs in 2016. That year, the Scarlet Knights' secondary finished in the top-20 in opponent passing yards per game, but finished at an abysmal 2-10.
Henry would leave for a three-year stint at NC State the following season, coaching safeties in his first year before transitioning to coaching cornerbacks. Henry would help lead the Wolfpack to an impressive 9-4 record during his first season, although the defensive metrics were anything but staggering. After finishing with the same record in 2018, NC State would finish 4-8 during his final season in the ACC.
Finally, after a stint at Vanderbilt, Henry would once again reunite with Bret Bielema at Illinois in 2021 as the Defensive Backs Coach. In 2022, Henry would earn a nod as Football Scoop's DB coach of the year after the Illini improved to 8-5, with his secondary amongst the best against the pass. Henry was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2023, where he cut his teeth as a playcaller. Henry led the Fighting Illini defense to the winningest stretch in program history, with 19 wins between 2024 and 2025, with six wins against ranked opponents. In 2024, the Illinois defense improved drastically, jumping 62 spots in scoring defense from the previous season, allowing under 22 points per game. Finally, in 2025, eight defensive starters on Henry's defense earned all-conference honors.
Replacing Mike Mickens is a tall task, but bringing in a familiar face for DC Chris Ash, as well as a coach who has improved year over year, could be just what the doctor ordered.
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