After Notre Dame’s heartbreaking loss in the College Football Playoff National Championship, a ripple of speculation has emerged surrounding the future of defensive coordinator Al Golden. According to an insider with close ties to both programs, Golden has become the Cincinnati Bengals’ top target to fill their vacant defensive coordinator position. As the Bengals face mounting expectations following their playoff appearances, this potential move could shake up both college and professional football landscapes, sparking controversy over Golden’s motivations and his future in South Bend.
Al Golden, who has served as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator since 2022, has garnered praise for his leadership in orchestrating a defense that made crucial stops in pivotal moments this season. Under his guidance, the Fighting Irish displayed resilience and growth, even in the face of adversity. However, following the crushing loss to Georgia in the national title game, whispers of Golden’s departure have grown louder. Many are questioning whether the pressure to win at Notre Dame, paired with the allure of an NFL opportunity, could prompt him to leave South Bend behind.
Golden’s name has been floated in NFL circles for some time. His experience as a head coach at the University of Miami and his extensive career as a defensive coordinator make him a prime candidate for teams looking to overhaul their defensive schemes. The Bengals, whose defense has shown flashes of brilliance but is also in need of a leader to help take them to the next level, view Golden as the ideal candidate. The team has been close but not close enough to achieving ultimate success, having reached the AFC Championship but falling short in their bid for a Super Bowl appearance in recent years. A defensive-minded coach with Golden’s expertise could be just the spark they need to push them over the edge.
However, the potential departure of Golden raises significant questions about his priorities. Notre Dame, with its storied history and prestige, offers Golden a platform that few college programs can match. His success at Miami and now at Notre Dame suggests that he has the potential to build a defense capable of competing for national titles. Leaving for the NFL could be seen as a pragmatic step in his career, but it might also signal that the pressure cooker environment at Notre Dame, combined with the team’s inability to secure the elusive national title under head coach Marcus Freeman, is weighing on him.
Golden’s decision could also spark debate about the shifting landscape of college football, where many top coordinators, including former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, have made the leap to the NFL. While some argue that a move to the Bengals could offer Golden a higher profile and more financial security, others suggest that a successful tenure at Notre Dame could cement his legacy in college football forever.
Notre Dame fans, in particular, might find Golden’s potential departure difficult to accept. The program’s recent successes have been closely linked to the defensive strategies he’s implemented, and losing him could deal a serious blow to the team’s long-term plans. On the other hand, the lure of the NFL’s higher salaries and greater influence may prove too strong for Golden to resist. If he does choose to leave, it would signal that even the most successful coordinators are not immune to the pressures and temptations of the professional game.
As the Bengals continue to search for a new defensive mastermind, Al Golden’s decision could have significant repercussions for both the Bengals and Notre Dame. The question remains: will Golden stay loyal to his college roots, or will he take the next step in his career and seize an opportunity in the NFL? Only time will tell.
