Bengals to hire Al Golden as next defensive coordinator

The Cincinnati Bengals have hired Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden as the next defensive coordinator of the franchise, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Wednesday.

Sources: Notre Dame DC Al Golden is expected to become the Cincinnati Bengals next defensive coordinator. He’s informed Notre Dame officials of his decision. pic.twitter.com/IKjXJ1rTtE

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 22, 2025

Golden currently serves as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator after two years on head coach Zac Taylor’s staff from 2020-21.

After firing Lou Anarumo following the season, it was clear from the start that Taylor was targeting Golden for the job. Taylor reportedly interviewed Patrick Graham and DeMarcus Covington for the job but ultimately decided to select Golden for the job.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden watches in the third quarter against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 14, 2023.

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The reunion of Golden and the Bengals was expected due to the respect and body of work Golden showed when he was a member of Taylor’s staff at the linebackers coach during the Super Bowl run in 2021.

In addition to bringing back a coach Taylor holds in high regard; it allows the Bengals to keep the same scheme for the most part. Golden will certainly make tweaks to the defense and put his stamp on the group. His biggest task will be getting the most out of Cincinnati’s young players on defense.

Taylor is the Bengals’ offensive play-caller and spends the majority of his time during the week working with the offense. This is one of the reasons the decision to hire Golden makes sense because of his background of being a head coach at the college level….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-hire-al-golden-next-213935399.html

Author : The Enquirer

Publish date : 2025-01-22 21:39:00

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