SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Six weeks after Marcus Freeman knew he needed help and two days after the candidate Notre Dame’s head coach wanted to fill his former role officially became available, the Irish have their defensive coordinator.
A source told The Athletic that Cincinnati Bengals linebackers coach Al Golden is expected to be Notre Dame’s next defensive coordinator, with the hire likely to be made official in the coming days. Golden’s season ended Sunday night after the Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Golden had been the top target for weeks, but the NFL playoffs complicated Notre Dame’s pursuit, with Freeman adamant that Golden connect with the Irish defensive staff before moving forward with the hire. Unlike many incoming defensive coordinators, Golden will have to work with a staff already assembled by Freeman, with safeties coach Chris O’Leary and cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens holdovers from last season’s staff, plus defensive line coach Al Washington replacing Mike Elston.
Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and Boston College defensive coordinator Tem Lukubu were also high on Freeman’s list, per a source. If the Golden hire fell through — there was concern he could remain in the NFL with the Bengals or move up to a coordinator spot elsewhere — Freeman would have moved quickly with either of those candidates.
Oddly, the first job to open following the tumult of Brian Kelly leaving for LSU was also the last to be filled, after Notre Dame welcomed Washington, Deland McCullough (running backs), Harry Hiestand (offensive line), Chansi Stuckey (receivers), Brian Mason (special teams) and Gerad Parker (tight ends) as new assistants.
