Al Golden addresses rumors linking him to Syracuse head coaching job

Syracuse parted ways with former head coach Dino Babers after eight years with the program, and a short list of names has already begun popping up along the rumor mill.

One of those names includes Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who was prodded about his interest in the Orange’s next head coaching position — who is flattered to be considered but is still focused on the task at hand for the Irish.

“I think the biggest thing right now is we got our hands full. I mean, that’s it. It is all day, every day, trying to win as many games as we can win,” Golden said, via Blue and Golds’s Tyler Horka. “Obviously, we have a goal of winning 10 [games]. And to do that, we have to win this one. We have to find a way to win this one. So if names are being mentioned, it’s because of the success of the staff and the players. And that part of is humbling.”

Before taking the Notre Dame DC job in 2022 as a part of Marcus Freeman’s initial staff, Golden spent 2016 through 2021 coaching as tight ends and linebackers coach for the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.

He also served as Temple’s head coach from 2006 through 2010 before moving on the Miami to coach the Hurricanes from until leaving for the NFL after the 2015 season. Now, his name is back in the mix for a new head coaching job — this time in the form of a promising Orange program.

Until a new coach is named this offseason, Orange tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile has been promoted as interim head coach for the season finale against Wake Forest on Saturday. The good news for Syracuse faithful — he did the same for eight games in 2019 for Rutgers upon the firing of Chris Ash.

The Orange can qualify for a bowl game if they defeat the Demon Deacons. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET live on the CW Network.

For Notre Dame, Golden and his defensive unit will look to stifle Stanford this weekend on the road. The Irish are near four-touchdown betting favorites despite playing on the road. A win would give the Irish their ninth of the season and can wrap up a 10-win campaign with a postseason bowl victory. The opening kickoff for that matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET live on the Pac 12 Network.