Notre Dame DC appears to have next NFL gig lined up

With the college football season over, Al Golden can return to the pro coaching ranks. Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator appears to have his next NFL gig lined up.

Golden is the Bengals’ top target for defensive coordinator, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. Head coach Zac Taylor has paused his search for other candidates in anticipation of pursuing a hire in this case. Golden previously worked under Taylor as Cincinnati’s linebackers coach for the 2020 and ’21 seasons.

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic confirms Golden has long been considered the top DC option for the Bengals. Over the next few days, he is expected to finish his tenure with the Fighting Irish (which began in 2022) with a Cincinnati interview likely to take place on Wednesday. After that, Dehner notes, it appears to be “inevitable” that Golden will be hired to return to the Bengals.

When Taylor was hired as head coach in 2019, he hired Lou Anarumo as his first defensive coordinator. The latter remained in place for six years, but he was fired after the 2024 campaign. Anarumo has since agreed to take charge of the Colts’ defense, while the Bengals have yet to replace him. If all goes according to plan with Golden, though, that vacancy will be filled very shortly.

Cincinnati ranked sixth in the NFL in scoring this year, with Joe Burrow topping the league in passing and wideout Ja’Marr Chase winning the ‘Triple Crown’ by finishing first in receptions, yards and touchdowns. In spite of that, the team finished 9-8 and out of the postseason in large part due to defensive shortcomings. After finishing 25th in points and yards allowed, there is considerable room for improvement on that side of the ball moving forward. Golden — who has previously been a DC at Virginia in addition to his time in that capacity with Notre Dame — could soon find himself as an NFL coordinator for the first time.

Via PFR’s coordinator search tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand for the Bengals:

• DeMarcus Covington, defensive coordinator (Patriots): Interviewed
• Matt Eberflus, former head coach (Bears): Mentioned as candidate
• Al Golden, defensive coordinator (Notre Dame): Hire expected
• Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed
• Wink Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Rumored candidate