Cincinnati has a prime candidate in Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who was the club's linebacker coach in 2020 and 2021 under Taylor's staff. Just last night, Golden competed in the national championship against Ohio State. While Notre Dame lost to a buzzsaw of a Buckeyes squad, Golden's defense was remarkable this season.

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.

Al Golden has emerged as a key name in the NFL coaching rumor mill after a strong stint as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, sparking interest from the Cincinnati Bengals

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.

For the second straight season, the Cincinnati Bengals missed out on the postseason despite the excellent play of star quarterback Joe Burrow. But moving forward, the Bengals appear dedicated to fixing perhaps their biggest hole by bringing in a familiar face who has made himself known at the college ranks.