Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden may have coached his last game with the Irish on Monday night. Golden is a top candidate to be the Bengals’ new defensive coordinator, according to NFL Network.

A 56-yard catch to Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith clinched the national championship. What Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden said about the play

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job has been open for more than two weeks now, but there hasn't been much movement on a possible hiring and now we know why: The team was waiting for Notre Dame to finish its season.

Notre Dame is coming off of one of its best seasons in program history but could be losing a key piece of Marcus Freeman's coaching staff.

With Notre Dame coming up just short of winning a national title, it gives the Cincinnati Bengals the go-ahead to be in hot pursuit of the Fighting Irish's defensive coordinator Al Golden. His return to Cincinnati may be what turns the Bengals around.

SOUTH BEND — Adon Shuler, second-year safety for Notre Dame football and proud North Jersey guy, has a nickname for defensive coordinator Al Golden ... a consigliere role to third-year Irish coach Marcus Freeman, Golden has guided Notre Dame ...

Anyway, Golden has been the DC at Notre Dame since 2022, and had signed a contract extension before the 2024 season. The Irish produced some pretty good defenses under Golden, including this season, when they allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (15.5) in all college football.