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Report: Penn State Grad Al Golden Finalist For NFL Job

Looks like former Penn State TE and current Notre Dame DC Al Golden could be returning to the NFL.
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 28: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defensive Coordinator Al Golden talks into his headset in action during a game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 28, 2024 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)Sportswire)

A Penn State grad who some see as a candidate for his alma materโ€™s 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.

Goldenโ€™s current position is in college football, where heโ€™s the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame, as Penn State fans donโ€™t want to think about, is the team that ended PSUโ€™s 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.

Report: Penn State DC Tom Allen Leaving For Clemson

But it looks like Golden might be taking another job.

GOLDENโ€™S CANDIDACY

Hereโ€™s what Harris wrote about Goldenโ€™s candidacy.

โ€œThe 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 didnโ€™t say were based on information from sources, were:

โ€œI 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 Cincyโ€™s LB coach from 2020-21.

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