The 2022 American Football Coaches Association 35 Under 35 class includes Notre Dame College head coach Mickey Mental. In just his second season, and first full campaign at the helm, Mental's squad won 11 games, earned their fourth consecutive Mountain East Conference title and grabbed an NCAA Division II Playoff victory. (Release)

Out of more than 200 applicants, 35 coaches were selected who are under the age of 35. The AFCA honors anyone who is a high school head coach, two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Mental is one of just five head coaches listed and one of just two coaches at the NCAA Division II level.

"When I promoted Mickey to our head coaching position, I knew he would be successful and keep Falcon Football in the top echelon of Division II," said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Swain. "Mickey is very well respected around the College and within Falcon Athletics as the ultimate team player. I am very happy for Mickey to receive the recognition nationally that he so well deserves."

Mental has been with the program since it began in 2009, when he took a graduate assistant position. He was named recruiting coordinator, then offensive coordinator, and eventually became assistant head coach, prior to the 2016 season.

The native of Olmsted Falls, Ohio has seen the Falcons grow into a national title contender. While leading the offense, the Falcons put up record-breaking numbers in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

In 2018, the Falcons won 13 games, took their first MEC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Semifinals. NDC's offense ran for 3,704 yards and 30 touchdowns, threw for 2,655 yards and 25 touchdowns and finished the season averaging 454.2 yards per game.

Notre Dame won their second consecutive MEC trophy in 2019 and advanced to the NCAA D2 Quarterfinals, winning 12 games. NDC put up 3,352 rushing yards with 42 touchdowns on the ground, threw for 2,522 yards and 23 touchdowns and the offense averaged 419.6 yards per game.

Mental was named head coach of the program in December 2019. Due to COVID-19, the Falcons played a shortened 2020 season in the spring of 2021.

Notre Dame did not skip a beat in Mental's first season leading the program. Last spring, NDC went 5-0 and scored 54 points per contest. The NCAA Division II Playoffs were canceled, but NDC defeated Charleston in the MEC Championship game to capture their third consecutive MEC title. Mental was named MEC Coach of the Year.

Throughout the shortened season, the Falcons outscored their opponents by an average 38.6 points per game. The offense was near the top of the NCAA Division II ranks with 306.4 rushing yards per game (2nd), 54 points per game (3rd), 499.2 yards of total offense per game (5th), 105 first downs (7th), a 62.9 completion percentage (8th) and scored on 95.2-percent trips to the red zone (10th). On defense, they allowed just 15.4 points per game and was best in Division II with four defensive touchdowns and seven fumble recoveries. They ranked in the top 10 with 15 turnovers gained (2nd), eight passes intercepted (4th), allowing 245.4 yards per game (6th), allowing a 26.7-percent completion percentage on third downs (7th) and allowing 84.4 rushing yards per game (8th). On special teams, Notre Dame ranked fourth in the country in kickoff return yardage with 29.2 yards per game and ninth in punt return yards with 13.5 per game.

In 2021, Notre Dame won 11 contests, including nine conference games, to capture their fourth straight MEC trophy. Notre Dame appeared in the playoffs and advanced to the regional semifinals. The Falcons ranked in the top 15 in NCAA Division II in multiple categories on offense and defense. The Falcons' defense was first in the nation in takeaways (36), first in interceptions (21), tied for first in turnover margin (+19), second in defensive touchdowns (6), third in tackles for loss (105), tied for fourth in sacks (44), fifth in fumbles recovered (15) and 14th in rushing defense, allowing just 91.2 yards per game. On the offensive side, NDC was tied for fourth in the nation in sacks allowed (8), sixth in points per game (40.6), seventh in red zone offense, scoring 91.2-percent of the time, 13th in the country with 287 first downs and 14th in passing efficiency (157.77).

In both 2018 and 2019, the Falcons had four offensive players earn All-America awards. Running back Jaleel McLaughlin took National Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 and was a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the top player in Division II football. Since 2018, two NDC offensive linemen have been finalists for the Gene Upshaw Award, given to the top lineman in D2. In three consecutive seasons, from 2018 until spring 2021, a Notre Dame player won MEC Offensive Player of the Year and in fall 2021, Guam Lee became the first player to earn MEC Defensive POW honors.