Notre Dame’s Al Golden “has emerged as a top candidate to be the Bengals new [defensive coordinator]," NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported after the Irish fell to Ohio State in Monday’s National Championship. Zac Taylor was waiting for Notre Dame’s season to end before approaching Golden about the opening, Rapoport said.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor introduces new defensive coordinator Al Golden at Paycor Stadium. Golden was hired last week after the Bengals fired former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Anarumo is now the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.

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

The Cincinnati Bengals made the hire of Al Golden as the team's new defensive coordinator official on Thursday afternoon. Head coach Zac Taylor fired Lou Anarumo immediately after the season and held a limited search in hiring his replacement. It was clear from the begining that Taylor wanted to hire Golden for the position.

Enter newly-hired defensive coordinator Al Golden, who spent the past three years coordinating and preparing Notre Dame's defense to face some of the best talent college football

The Bengals officially introduced defensive coordinator Al Golden on Monday—four days after he signed his contract with Cincinnati. Golden is one o