Report: Al Golden 'emerging as top target' for Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job

As Notre Dame sorted through its national championship loss to Ohio State on Monday, the Fighting Irish could also be preparing to lose their defensive coordinator. Al Golden is the top target for the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported.

Golden was one of the first big hires for Marcus Freeman when he took over the Notre Dame program in 2022, and his defense was one of the best in the country. This season, the Fighting Irish ranked ninth in the nation with 298.3 yards allowed per game and second in scoring with 14.3 points allowed on average – trailing only Ohio State.

Golden previously worked for the Bengals from 2020-21 as linebackers coach before arriving at Notre Dame. Now, it appears he’s atop Zac Taylor’s list to replace Lou Anarumo, and Taylor can now speak with Golden after Notre Dame’s season came to an end with a 34-23 loss to Ohio State in Monday’s national championship.

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has emerged as a top candidate to be the #Bengals new DC, per me and @MikeGarafolo.

Coach Zac Taylor has been waiting for the National Championship to end before moving forward. Now that it has, he can speak with Golden & work thru it. pic.twitter.com/1eELIXX3Sv

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2025

Prior to his first stint at Cincinnati, Golden got his first taste of life in the NFL in 2016 as the Detroit Lions tight ends coach. He then shifted to the other side of the ball as the Lions’ linebackers coach from 2018-19 before the Bengals hired him. That’s when he returned to the college game at Notre Dame, serving as an essential part of Freeman’s staff as he took over his first head coaching job.

Al Golden addressed the speculation around an NFL return during national championship media day and spoke about what it means to be in those conversations. However, his focus was on the title game, and a source told On3’s Pete Nakos Golden didn’t talk to any teams before Monday’s matchup.

“I think the biggest thing right now, it’s humbling that your name is mentioned because of the team success or the success of our defense,” Golden said Saturday when asked about the possibility of returning to the NFL. “It’s a reflection of Mike Mickens, Max Bullough and Al Washington.

“But at the end of the day, this is not the time or the place. This is about the kids. There’s always time to reflect on all of that after the season. The biggest thing for us right now is just understanding the enormity of this game.”