Well, shortly after the Irish lost to Ohio State, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Golden is a “top candidate” for the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator position, as they waited out for Notre Dame season to end.

If you've ever been to the Jersey Shore, you can feel it. The breeze coming off the shore. The smells of cotton candy and funnel cakes wafting through the air. A Bruce Springsteen song playing over the loudspeakers.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost Monday, but Al Golden is favored to be the Bengals' defensive coordinator this week.

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden could be on the move after the loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game Monday night. Golden is considered a "top candidate" for the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator position,

Yes, it’s the same role that he currently holds with the Irish, but clearly at the highest level. When asked about potentially making the move, Golden was very coy about what his intentions were, saying “at the end of the day, this is not the time or the place,” as reported by On3’s Pete Nakos.

SOUTH BEND — Adon Shuler, second-year safety for Notre Dame football and proud North Jersey guy, has a nickname for defensive coordinator Al Golden. “I call him the Godfather,” Shuler, Irvington’s own, said of the Red Bank Catholic legend.

ATLANTA -- Al Golden orchestrated a Notre Dame defense that ranked top 10 nationally across myriad categories and spurred the Fighting Irish's run to Monday night's College Football Playoff Championship.

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

After losing in the CFP final, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish's defensive coordinator has his sights set on the NFL, and one team is already interested.

Report: Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor 'Paused' Defensive Coordinator Search to Speak With Al Golden