Al Golden’s Return to Cincinnati: A New Chapter with the Bengals
On Monday, January 27, 2025, Al Golden stood before the media at Paycor Stadium, addressing his new role as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. Golden’s return to Cincinnati marks a significant moment, as he previously served as the Bengals’ linebackers coach from 2020 to 2021 before departing for the collegiate ranks. Over the past few seasons, he has been making his mark as the defensive coordinator for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but now, he is back in the NFL, ready to take on the challenge of revitalizing the Bengals’ defense.
Golden’s departure from Notre Dame left a notable void in their coaching staff, with head coach Marcus Freeman ultimately selecting former Ohio State defensive coordinator and ex-Rutgers head coach Chris Ash as his successor. While Ash brings experience to the Fighting Irish program, many believe replacing Golden will not be an easy task. During his tenure at Notre Dame, he built one of the most formidable defensive units in college football, a legacy that will be difficult to replicate.
Notre Dame’s Defensive Challenges and Golden’s Impact
While at Notre Dame, Golden faced initial challenges implementing his system. His first season in 2022 was met with skepticism, as the Fighting Irish defense struggled to find its footing. That year, Notre Dame’s defense allowed an average of 23 points per game while surrendering 329.3 total yards per contest. Additionally, they forced only 11 turnovers, a disappointing number for a team with high expectations. As a result, many questioned whether Golden was the right person for the job.
However, those doubts didn’t last long. Golden methodically refined his system, getting his players to buy into his defensive philosophy. The results were staggering. In the following two seasons, Notre Dame’s defense transformed into one of the most dominant units in college football. The Fighting Irish reduced their points allowed per game to 15.9 in 2023 and 15.5 in 2024. Additionally, they tightened up their yardage allowed, conceding just 276.3 yards per game in 2023 and 307.4 in 2024. Perhaps most impressively, they forced a total of 57 turnovers across those two years.
Golden’s success was not a matter of luck but rather a testament to his unwavering belief in his system. He is a coach who demands discipline and consistency, and while that approach may have led to early struggles, it ultimately paid off in the long run. The key lesson from his tenure at Notre Dame is that defensive transformations take time. If given patience and trust, Golden can turn an average defense into an elite one.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Challenge Ahead
Now, Golden faces a new challenge—rebuilding the Bengals’ defense. In 2024, Cincinnati’s defense was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses, allowing an alarming 25.5 points per game. While the Bengals had an explosive offensive unit, their struggles on the defensive side of the ball prevented them from reaching their full potential.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin, who spoke at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, emphasized Golden’s ability to reshape the team’s defensive identity. Tobin spoke highly of Golden’s energy and coaching style, praising his level of engagement and his clear vision for how a defense should operate.
“Al (Golden) is super engaged, super high energy,” Tobin said. “He knows exactly what he wants.”
Golden’s meticulous nature as a coach can be both an asset and a challenge. His attention to detail and strict adherence to his defensive principles have proven successful, but they require time to fully take effect. Notre Dame’s early struggles under Golden serve as a reminder that learning his system does not happen overnight.
For Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and his staff, the hope is that Golden’s transition to the team will not take as long as it did at Notre Dame. The Bengals are in a competitive AFC, and they need their defense to improve quickly if they want to be serious contenders. However, Golden is not one to take shortcuts—he builds a foundation and ensures his players fully grasp his defensive schemes.
Will the Bengals See Immediate Results?
Golden’s biggest challenge will be transforming the Bengals’ defense despite the current roster situation. The Bengals’ defense is in need of serious reconstruction, and it is unclear how quickly he can make the necessary improvements. While Golden has proven his ability to develop a dominant defense, it typically requires patience and a commitment to his long-term vision.
In some ways, the situation Golden faces in Cincinnati mirrors what he encountered at Notre Dame in 2022. He is taking over a struggling defense that needs a complete identity shift. The Bengals will need to trust his process and understand that the early stages of this transition may come with growing pains.
One advantage Golden has this time around is his familiarity with the organization. Having previously served as the Bengals’ linebackers coach, he understands the culture and expectations within the franchise. That familiarity could help speed up the transition process, allowing him to implement his system more effectively than he did in his first year at Notre Dame.
A Long-Term Investment for the Bengals
Ultimately, the Bengals’ decision to hire Golden is an investment in long-term defensive success. While some fans may hope for an immediate turnaround, history suggests that Golden’s system requires time to take full effect. However, once it does, it can lead to one of the most dominant defensive units in football.
Golden’s return to Cincinnati marks an exciting new era for the Bengals’ defense. If he can replicate the success he had at Notre Dame, the Bengals could soon find themselves with a defense capable of complementing their high-powered offense. While there are challenges ahead, one thing is clear—the Bengals’ defense is in capable hands with Al Golden at the helm.
