Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden is on the heels of an NFL job after the Fighting Irish lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday.

The 55-year-old had been in place at Notre Dame since 2022, serving as the program’s defensive coordinator for each of the past three years.

The Cincinnati Bengals are hiring former position coach Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator, NFL Network and ESPN reported Wednesday.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news: “The #Bengals are finalizing a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who is expected to be in Cincinnati on Thursday to officially sign on as DC, sources tell The Insiders.”

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman isn't expected to go to the NFL, but we can't say the same thing for his defensive coordinator. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Notre Dame's Al Golden has emerged as the "top candidate" to become the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati

Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator appears to have his next NFL gig lined up. Golden is the Bengals’ top target for defensive coordinator, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. Head coach Zac Taylor has paused his search for other candidates in anticipation of pursuing a hire in this case.

The Cincinnati Bengals are finalizing a deal to make Notre Dame's Al Golden their new defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Golden will arrive at the Bengals' facility Thursday to sign his deal.

Notre Dame football has wasted little time attempting to fill its defensive coordinator vacancy after losing Al Golden to the NFL. The Irish are eyeing former Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash to join head coach Marcus Freeman’s staff as the program attempts to build off its College Football Playoff runner-up finish this season,

College-to-NFL head coaching jumps have been a rare occurrence in recent seasons. Fourty-three head coaches were hired between the 2019 and 2024 offseasons, and just four of them came directly from the college ranks: Kliff Kingsbury (Arizona Cardinals,

Al Golden agreed to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. More: 3 Wolverines, 3 ex-Spartans make ESPN list of top 100 college football players from '24-25

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden did not confirm or deny his interest in the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator position, which is currently open. During media availability for his side’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearance on Saturday,

The Cincinnati Bengals are finalizing terms with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden to bring him aboard in the same position on head coach