Cincy Jungle
Golden’s development of the Bengals’ linebackers was key in the Super Bowl run in the 2021 season.
The Cincinnati Bengals have found their next defensive coordinator, and it will be Notre Dame assistant Al Golden.
Following the Fighting Irish’s loss to Ohio State in the national championship, Golden is leaving Notre Dame to become the Bengals’ next defensive coordinator.
The news was first broken by Tom Pelissero.
Golden, who’s made numerous NFL and college stops, first became a defensive coordinator for the Virginia Cavaliers from 2001-2005 before being named the head coach at Temple (2006-2010), then led the Miami Hurricanes (2011-2015) before being let go. That’s when Golden broke into the NFL, first coaching tight ends for the Detroit Lions (2016-17), then became the team’s linebackers coach (2018-19).
Golden would become the Bengals linebackers coach in 2019 as part of Zac Taylor’s first coaching staff. That was a role Golden served in for three seasons, culminating in the Bengals’ Super Bowl run in the 2021 season before being named the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
During his time in Cincinnati, Golden helped Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson develop into one of the NFL’s best linebacker duos. That tandem was instrumental in the Bengals’ miraculous playoff run in 2021, but they’ve regressed since Golden left town and was replaced with James Bettcher, who was fired this offseason.
With the hire made, what are your thoughts on Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden? Let us know in the comments section!
