Cincinnati Bengals DC Al Golden “knows exactly what he wants” but his Notre Dame career shows that could be a hindrance, at least early on
Notre Dame football was dealt a devastating blow this offseason when defensive coordinator Al Golden left to take the same position with the Cincinnati Bengals. Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish program eventually decided on former Ohio State defensive coordinator and Rutgers head coach Chris Ash to replace Golden. Fans are hopeful, but the odds […]
Notre Dame football was dealt a devastating blow this offseason when defensive coordinator Al Golden left to take the same position with the Cincinnati Bengals. Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish program eventually decided on former Ohio State defensive coordinator and Rutgers head coach Chris Ash to replace Golden. Fans are hopeful, but the odds are that Golden is going to be extremely difficult to replace.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin spoke to the media on Tuesday at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He was asked about Golden, his importance in terms of helping the scouting department identify talent with his time in the college ranks, and his overall abilities as a coach. Tobin gushed over Golden, who he is very high on as a defensive coordinator.
"Al (Golden) is super engaged, super high energy," Tobin said. "He knows exactly what he wants."
If Notre Dame fans learned anything about Coach Golden, it is that he is very particular. He has proven to get the most out of his talent, but Golden also showed that he believes firmly in his system and the beliefs he has as a defensive play caller. That did, however, cause initial growing pains during his first season in 2022.
During that campaign, the Irish let up 23 points per game, 329.3 total yards, and forced just 11 turnovers. There were many people who questioned Coach Golden and if he was the man for the job. Boy did he prove them all wrong.
Over the next two seasons, Coach Golden’s Irish defense would surrender just 15.9 and 15.5 points per game respectively. The defense also decreased the yards allowed per game to 276.3 and 307.4 as well. Notre Dame did all that while also forcing 57 total turnovers. What Coach Golden built was special, but a transitonal season was needed. That first year was about setting the standard, and getting everyone on the same page for the long haul.
Head coach Zac Taylor and this Bengals squad will be hoping for a much quicker turnaround than that, hoping to improve drastically after surrendering 25.5 points per game in 2024. If the defense was just a solid group, Cincinnati would have ended up being a dangerous team with one of the league’s best offensive groups. Unfortunately, that unit stagnated their upside as a football team.
Can Coach Golden turn things around more quickly this time around? The deck seems stacked against him with this defensive roster needing to be rebuilt. One thing is certain, the Bengals defense is in great hands for the forseeable future. Patience may just be needed because Golden isn't one to cut corners.
