Notre Dame's defense under Al Golden is 'more free'

Notre Dame has a freer defense under Al Golden going into the 2023 season, according to On3’s J.D. PicKell.

Golden spent last season back in college with the Fighting Irish after two years as a Cincinnati Bengals assistant. Marcus Freeman was promoted to head coach, opening the door for Golden.

Going into Year 2 with his philosophy and scheme, the Notre Dame defense could steadily improve under Golden.

“The defensive philosophy under defensive coordinator Al Golden is, in a word, more free,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “And I don’t say free in the sense that you’re doing less assignments and you have less guys with less on their plate, like they’re still asking these guys to do quite a bit actually. Be more versatile. But the feeling was last year, maybe it was a touch more complex than what was productive. 

“So Notre Dame now is hoping to just let these dudes that they have back on defense, 72% of that production, just kind of go out, play ball, be instinctive. We’re going to ask a lot of you, but go play more instinctual. I think that’s going to help them in the long run when it comes to Notre Dame.”

It’s clear Golden will make his mark on the defense. One thing that could help? The defensive line depth.

“Love to get all those young guys going,” Golden said in July. “That would be awesome. We’re going to challenge them all. They’re all learning. They’re working hard. [Al Washington] does an awesome job with them.

“Those young guys, they’re all hungry and they’re all competing and we’ll see where it goes. It’s too early to settle into anything. … I’m excited about them. There’s probably at least nine right now, so that’s great.”

Al Golden embracing DC role at Notre Dame

Golden might have to operate more of the defense since Freeman settled into his head coaching role. Now in Year 2, Freeman might be fine with a little delegation

“Questions about how Marcus feels about it, that’s for Marcus,” Golden said. “But there’s no doubt the clarity that he has, the vision that he has for the program, the way he looks at each component of the season, each stage, whether it’s the winter program, spring ball, summer and now preseason camp, there’s a definitive plan. And it’s clear for us to see as coaches, which obviously makes it easier to execute. I think he’s made it real clear for us.

“In his mind, I hope he feels like, ‘OK, it’s slowing down for me. I have a schedule. I know they’re going to pull me away for media here, I know they’re going to pull me for this, but I have to get these things done.’ I feel like he’s done a great job of that. I know as a staff we’re excited about that.”