Report: Notre Dame DC Al Golden expected to become Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is expected to become the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, according to a Wednesday evening report from Pete Thamel of ESPN. He has informed the officials at Notre Dame of his decision. Golden’s defensive unit played a critical role in guiding the Fighting Irish to the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where they fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was up for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant college coach in America. That winner of that award will be announced on Feb. 13.

In 2024, Notre Dame ranked third nationally in points per game allowed on defense, with 15.5 points per outing. They also ranked second in the country in passing defense and eighth in red zone defense. In 2023, the Fighting Irish ranked fifth in the nation in yards allowed per game.

Golden previously worked with the Cincinnati Bengals as their linebackers coach from 2020-2021. He also spent from 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 with the Detroit Lions, where he worked as their tight ends coach and linebackers coach.

As a college football head coach, Golden had two different stints with the Temple Owls and then the Miami Hurricanes. From 2006-2010 with the Temple Owls, he posted a 27-34 overall record. With the Miami Hurricanes from 2011-2015, he tallied a 32-25 overall record. His best record with Temple came in 2009, when they had a 9-4 overall record. In 2013, his best record with the Hurricanes was a 9-4 season in which Miami lost in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

During his coaching days with Temple, he helped to turn around one of the weaker programs in college football and Golden was eventually inducted into their Hall of Fame. While he was with the Hurricanes as their head coach, he even guided them to the ACC Championship Game.

Golden was heavily influenced by Joe Paterno at Penn State. He played tight end for him during his college playing days. Professionally, he played for the New England Patriots. Golden also spent several years with the Virginia Cavaliers, two as a graduate assistant (1994-1996) and four as the defensive coordinator under Al Groh (2001-2005). Golden and many others on the Virginia coaching staff played an instrumental role in reeling in one of the top recruiting classes in America for the 2002 cycle.