The Bengals announced today the hiring of Al Golden as defensive coordinator.
Golden, 55, previously served as the Bengals’ linebackers coach from 2020-21, before spending the last three seasons (’22-24) as defensive coordinator at the University of Notre Dame. He also held the title of linebackers coach for the Fighting Irish from 2022-2023.
“Al is a highly regarded coach and we are excited to welcome him back to the Bengals as defensive coordinator,” said head coach Zac Taylor. “He understands football at all levels and has had great success as a coordinator, position coach and head coach. Al has a great football mind and will bring a smart, physical and aggressive approach to our defense.”
Under Golden in 2024, Notre Dame’s defense ranked second in the nation in points allowed (14.3 per game), fifth in INTs (19) and ninth in total yards allowed (298.3 per game ). The unit held 12 opponents to 17 points or fewer, helping the Fighting Irish to a 14-2 overall record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
From 2022 to 2023, Golden coached six players who were subsequently selected in the NFL Draft. His defense in 2023 ranked fourth nationally in red zone TD percentage (70.6) and fourth in passing yards allowed (154.2).
In 2021, his most recent season on Cincinnati’s coaching staff, Golden worked with a defense that ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (102.5). He helped the Bengals win the AFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl LVI, with the defense totaling nine points to take home in the playoffs.
Golden got his start in NFL coaching with the Detroit Lions, where he served as tight ends coach from 2016-17 and linebackers coach from 2018-19.
Prior to his time with the Lions, Golden served as a head coach at the college level for 10 years, spending the 2006-2010 seasons at Temple University and 2011-2015 at the University of Miami (Fla.). He began his coaching career in 1993 as offensive coordinator at Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New Jersey, then served as a graduate assistant at the University of Virginia (’94-96), coaching linebackers at Boston College (’97-99). ) and Penn State (2000), and defensive coordinator at Virginia (’01-05).
A native of Colts Neck, New Jersey, Golden played tight end at Penn State from 1988 to 1991, then spent the 1992 season with the New England Patriots (no games played). He earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-law from Penn State in 1991 and a master’s degree in sports psychology from Virginia in 1996.
