Following the now-concluded regime of former Bengals coordinator Lou Anarumo, Golden returns to Cincinnati a rejuvenated coach following a highly successful period as defensive coordinator of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Here are five things to know about Golden, his past influences and his latest work in the game.

Cincinnati is finalizing a deal to hire Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden to run its defense. Golden helped lead the Fighting Irish to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game where they lost to Ohio State. He is expected to officially sign with the team on Thursday.

Two days after the Fighting Irish lost in the national championship game to Ohio State, they lost Al Golden, who will become Bengals defensive coordinator.

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.

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.

Al Golden’s return to the Cincinnati Bengals was made official Thursday, with the franchise announcing he was hired as defensive coordinator.

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.”

After firing Lou Anarumo following the season, it was clear from the start that Taylor was targeting Golden for the job. Taylor reportedly interviewed Patrick Graham and DeMarcus Covington for the job but ultimately decided to select Golden for the job.

Al Golden agreed to return to the Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator.

The Cincinnati Bengals announced the hiring of Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday. Golden, 55, spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. That stint followed two years as the Bengals' linebackers coach from 2020-21.

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