Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighter Irish are just a hair away in 2024. They finished the regular season 11-1 and earned the seventh seed in the College Football Playoff. The bracket was well-received for the Fighting Irish, who were running for a national championship.
However, they ran into a buzzy Ohio State Buckeyes. Notre Dame needed a near-perfect game to stop Ohio State on Monday. The Irish lost 34-23 and ended the season 14-2. Defensive coordinator Al Golden will not return to Notre Dame in 2024. Golden accepted the job as the Cincinnati Bengals’ next defensive coordinator.
Al Golden is rejoining Zac Taylor’s coaching staff in Cincinnati
this #Bengals Sources told Insider he is working on a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, which is expected to be official on Thursday in Cincinnati for DC.
Golden served as the Bengals’ LBS coach for two seasons before joining the Irish. Now, a party. pic.twitter.com/9ve6saof7u
—Tom Pelissero (@Tompelissero) January 22, 2025
Al Golden’s defensive unit at Notre Dame is one of the best in the country in 2024. They are tied with Army in allowing (15.5) points per game. That’s the fourth-best mark among a team in all divisions. Additionally, Notre Dame allowed the fourth-lowest passing yards per game in the regular season (169.4) in the country. Al Golden has the luxury of having star talent at every level on the Fighting Irish defense.
He was Marcus Freeman’s defensive coordinator in each of his first three seasons at Notre Dame. Prior to joining the Irish, Al Golden spent 2020 and 2021 with the Cincinnati Bengals. Golden was part of the coaching staff that went to the Super Bowl and lost to the Rams. Golden rejoined the Bengals after three seasons at Notre Dame. This time it’s their new defensive coordinator.
Al Golden will replace DC Lou Anarumo after six seasons. He was fired after the 2024 season, and the Bengals missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Anarumo had a mix of young talent and veteran players last season. Cincinnati has one of the worst overall defenses in the NFL. Despite winning their final five games in 2024, the Bengals still missed the playoffs. Zac Taylor needs to make changes this offseason, and it’s on defense. Now, Al Golden returns to Cincinnati to help repair a struggling defensive unit.
