A Penn State grad who some see as a candidate for his alma materโs vacant defensive coordinator position is reportedly a finalistโ and perhaps the favoriteโ for an NFL job.
Per a report by Drae Harris of Sports Illustrated, Al Golden is one of two finalists for the Cincinnati Bengalsโ defensive coordinator position.
The other, per Harris, is Patrick Graham, who most recently was the Las Vegas Raidersโ defensive coordinator.
Goldenโs current position is in college football, where heโs the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame, as Penn State fans donโt want to think about, is the team that ended PSUโs season in the Orange Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal Jan. 9.
Since then, Penn State DC Tom Allen took the same position at Clemson, and naturally, the letterman Golden was one of the first names mentioned.
But it looks like Golden might be taking another job.
GOLDENโS CANDIDACY
Hereโs what Harris wrote about Goldenโs candidacy.
โThe Notre Dame defensive coordinator is who I’d consider the favorite for the job at this juncture.โ
His unit is a good reason why they are playing for the National Championship. The former Penn State tight end also played for the New England Patriots during his time as a player.
Golden was on Zac Taylor’s staff in 2020 and 2021, serving as the Bengals linebackers coach before taking the job at Notre Dame.
This year, he has coached circles around most of their opponents en route to being a finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the best assistant coach in the nation.
Notre Dame’s defense ended the regular season first in team passing efficiency defense, first in defensive touchdowns, third in scoring defense, fourth in passing yards allowed, fourth in interceptions, and10th in total defense.
The last words, which Harris didnโt say were based on information from sources, were:
โI believe Golden will be the Bengals’ next defensive coordinator.โ
Golden has not only worked with the NFL but has also worked with the Bengals and their coach, Zac Taylor. He was Cincyโs LB coach from 2020-21.
