Hot Seat in Cincinnati: Bengals DC Al Golden Faces Firing Rumors After Another Defensive Meltdown

Subhead: Veteran defensive mind exits South Bend after CFP run, reunites with Zac Taylor in Cincinnati In a move that reshapes two high-profile sidelines, Al Golden is departing Notre Dame to become the Cincinnati Bengals’ new defensive coordinator, sources confirmed Wednesday. Golden, 55, notified head coach Marcus Freeman and Irish administrators that he will accept the Bengals offer—returning to the franchise where he coached linebackers during their 2021 Super Bowl run. Why the Bengals turned to Golden • Proven NFL résumé: Golden’s previous stint in Cincinnati produced a top-10 scoring defense and rapid development of stars Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt. • Scheme fit: His multiple 3-4/4-2-5 concepts mirror the system Lou Anarumo employed before leaving for the Chargers, minimizing play-calling upheaval. • Leadership chops: Two FBS head-coaching stops (Temple, Miami) and three seasons guiding an elite Irish unit give Golden rare CEO credentials for a coordinator role. Notre Dame’s defensive legacy under Golden Since arriving in 2022, Golden engineered year-over-year improvements that culminated in a National Championship Game appearance last month. The Irish ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense (15.5 ppg) and first in pass-efficiency defense in 2024, while producing first-round prospects Benjamin Morrison and Howard Cross III. What’s next in South Bend Freeman now faces his third coordinator hire in four seasons. Early buzz centers on secondary coach Mike Mickens, whose DB room led the FBS in opponent passer rating, but external names such as Ohio State co-DC Jeff Hafley could surface. The position’s recent track record—Mike Elko, Clark Lea, Freeman and Golden all parlayed it into head-or NFL jobs—ensures a national search. Impact on the Bengals’ 2025 outlook • Player buy-in: Star edge Trey Hendrickson praised Golden’s “teacher’s mentality” during the 2021 run and welcomed the reunion on social media. • Draft strategy: Golden’s versatility allows Cincinnati to target best-available defenders, not scheme-specific prototypes, at pick No. 24. • AFC North chess match: With Jim Schwartz’s attacking front in Cleveland and Mike Macdonald’s hybrid looks in Baltimore, Golden’s disguised pressures aim to keep Joe Burrow’s rivals guessing. The bottom line Al Golden’s jump from college playoff contender to NFL playoff hopeful underscores how coveted his tactical acumen and locker-room presence remain. Notre Dame must swiftly secure a successor to maintain championship momentum, while the Bengals believe the veteran coach is the missing piece to lift a talented roster back to Super Bowl Sunday.