Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Combating Irish fell simply brief in 2024. They completed the common season 11-1 and earned the seventh seed within the faculty soccer playoffs. The bracket fell favorably for the Combating Irish they usually made a run to the Nationwide Championship.
Nevertheless, they bumped into the buzzsaw that was the Ohio State Buckeyes. Notre Dame wanted a near-perfect sport to cease Ohio State on Monday. The Irish misplaced 34-23 and ended the season 14-2. Defensive coordinator Al Golden won’t be returning to Notre Dame in 2024. Golden accepted the job to be the following defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Al Golden is re-joining Zac Taylor’s teaching workers in Cincinnati
The #Bengals are finalizing a cope with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who is anticipated to be in Cincinnati on Thursday to formally signal on as DC, sources inform The Insiders.
Golden spent two seasons as Bengals LBs coach earlier than becoming a member of the Irish. Now, a reunion. pic.twitter.com/9vE6SAof7U
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2025
In 2024, Al Golden’s defensive unit at Notre Dame was among the finest within the nation. They had been tied with Military, permitting (15.5) factors per sport. That was the fourth-best of all Division One groups. Moreover, Notre Dame’s (169.4) passing yards per sport allowed throughout the common season was the fourth-lowest within the nation. Al Golden had the posh of getting star expertise on all ranges on his protection with the Combating Irish.
He was the defensive coordinator in every of Marcus Freeman’s first three seasons at Notre Dame. Earlier than he joined the Irish, Al Golden was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020 and 2021. He was the Bengals’ linebacker coach below head coach Zac Taylor. Golden was a part of the teaching workers that went to the Tremendous Bowl and misplaced to the Rams. After three seasons with Notre Dame, Golden is re-joining the Bengals. This time as their new defensive coordinator.
Al Golden is changing Lou Anarumo who was DC for six seasons. He was fired after the 2024 season, the second straight 12 months the Bengals missed the postseason. Anarumo had a mixture of younger expertise and veteran gamers final season. Cincinnati had one of many worst total defenses within the NFL. Regardless of successful their ultimate 5 video games in 2024, the Bengals nonetheless missed the playoffs. Zac Taylor wanted to make a change this offseason and that got here on protection. Now, Al Golden is again with Cincinnati to assist try to repair a struggling defensive unit.