With the faculty soccer season over, Al Golden can return to the professional teaching ranks. Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator seems to have his subsequent 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 seek for different candidates in anticipation of pursuing a rent on this case. Golden beforehand labored underneath Taylor as Cincinnati’s linebackers coach for the 2020 and ’21 seasons.
Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic confirms Golden has lengthy been thought-about the highest DC choice for the Bengals. Over the subsequent few days, he’s anticipated to complete his tenure with the Preventing Irish (which started in 2022) with a Cincinnati interview more likely to happen on Wednesday. After that, Dehner notes, it seems to be “inevitable” that Golden might be employed to return to the Bengals.
When Taylor was employed as head coach in 2019, he employed Lou Anarumo as his first defensive coordinator. The latter remained in place for six years, however he was fired after the 2024 marketing campaign. Anarumo has since agreed to take charge of the Colts’ defense, whereas the Bengals have but to switch him. If all goes in response to plan with Golden, although, that emptiness might be stuffed very shortly.
Cincinnati ranked sixth within the NFL in scoring this 12 months, with Joe Burrow topping the league in passing and wideout Ja’Marr Chase profitable the ‘Triple Crown’ by ending first in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Despite that, the workforce completed 9-8 and out of the postseason largely resulting from defensive shortcomings. After ending twenty fifth in factors and yards allowed, there may be appreciable room for enchancment on that facet of the ball shifting ahead. Golden — who has beforehand been a DC at Virginia along with his time in that capability with Notre Dame — might quickly discover himself as an NFL coordinator for the primary time.
Via PFR’s coordinator search tracker, right here is an up to date take a look at the place issues 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): Rent anticipated
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed
- Wink Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Rumored candidate
