Cincinnati is finalizing a deal to hire Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden to run its defense. Golden helped lead the Fighting Irish to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game where they lost to Ohio State. He is expected to officially sign with the team on Thursday.

Notre Dame made a run through the CPF to the championship game, falling short to Ohio State. Defensive coordinator Al Golden left for the NFL to be defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. According to CBS Sports and 247 Sports,

Mike Zimmer, who spent last season as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator, said he will not be returning to the team on new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's staff and likely will retire from coaching in the NFL,

CINCINNATI — Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden spent 30+ minutes meeting with the media on Monday afternoon.

New defensive coordinator Al Golden and the Cincinnati Bengals filled some holes on their coaching staff, hiring Jerry Montgomery and Mike Hodges, the team announced Monday.

Graham interviewed with the Jaguars for their head coach and DC vacancies as well as the Bengals for their DC opening

Al Golden was introduced as the new Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Monday. Golden is no stranger to Cincinnati nor head coach Zac Taylor. Before arriving at Notre Dame in 2022, Golden worked as the Bengals linebackers coach from 2020 through 2021.

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

John Sheeran talks about the hiring of Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, to the same role for the Cincinnati Bengals. *Why The Bengals NEW Defensive Coordinator Deserves A CLEAN Slate...* Fo

Golden should have an advantage over a lot of other defensive coordinator candidates in this department. He coached against 19 different ranked teams in three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator.

The Cincinnati Bengals are continuing the process of filling out the coaching staff under new defensive coordinator Al Golden. Defensive line coach/run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery and linebackers coach Mike Hodges have officially been announced as new hires Monday morning ahead of Golden's first press conference as DC.