Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is leaving the Fighting Irish to become the Cincinnati Bengals’ next defensive coordinator, the team announced on Saturday

After a disappointing 34-23 defeat to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship, Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator Al Golden is bidding farewell to the Fighting Irish. The 55-year-old is set to return to the Cincinnati Bengals as their next defensive coordinator, per multiple reports.

Golden previously held positions at Notre Dame from 2022 to 2024, where he coached linebackers and served as the defensive coordinator. He’s now heading back to the NFL, where he was the Bengals’ linebackers coach during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

His tenure at Notre Dame was marked by both growth and scrutiny, reaching a high point last season when the team finished with an impressive 14 wins and just two losses. In 2024, the Irish defense ranked second-best in the country, allowing a mere 14.3 points per game.

However, Golden’s playcalling came under fire in crucial moments against Ohio State, leaving a sour note among Fighting Irish fans. One particularly criticized moment occurred late in the title game, with Notre Dame trailing by a single score.

After QB Riley Leonard connected with Jaden Greathouse for a 30-yard touchdown, the defense stumbled on the subsequent Ohio State drive. Golden’s choice to leave star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in single coverage resulted in a 56-yard completion, paving the way for a game-clinching field goal.

Despite the loss, Golden leaves behind a legacy of progress for Notre Dame’s defense.

Golden served as the Bengals linebackers coach between 2020-2021 ( 
Image:
Getty)
During the 2022 season, Golden’s Fighting Irish conceded an average of 23.0 points per game, placing them 29th in the country. However, by the following year, they had significantly improved, reducing their average to 15.9 per game and ranking their defense among the top ten.

Last season saw further improvement, with an average of 15.5 points per game, which helped the team reach the national title game. Golden’s move to Cincinnati is a return to familiar territory for him.

He previously worked with the Bengals as their linebackers coach during the rookie seasons of Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins. Despite the Bengals’ defense struggling during his tenure, it laid the foundation for some of the team’s key contributors, including the development of linebackers.

Now, Golden takes over a struggling defense led by Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson, replacing Lou Anarumo, who served as the Bengals’ DC from 2019 to 2024. Anarumo will now take up the same role with the Indianapolis Colts, where he was announced last Monday.

Despite criticism of his performance last season, his playcalling also contributed to the Bengals’ Super Bowl LVI run in 2022. Golden faces a significant challenge, as the Bengals were statistically the fourth-worst defense in the NFL last season.

They ranked eighth overall in giving up the most yards [5921], fourth in allowing passing touchdowns [30], and third in the league in conceding yards on first down [361].