Notre Dame football took a key coaching staff loss after losing to Ohio State in the CFP title game last Monday.

The Cincinnati Bengals seem like a team with eyes for Al Golden as the next defensive coordinator, at least once he wraps up his season with Notre Dame on Monday night in the title game. Golden, though, has previously shot down the idea of joining the Bengals due to his focus on Notre Dame’s College Football playoff push.

Former Red Bank Catholic star Al Golden, fresh off Notre Dame's run to the CFP title game, is returning to the NFL as Bengals defensive coordinator

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is leaving the Fighting Irish to become the Cincinnati Bengals' next defensive coordinator, the team announced on Saturday

Al Golden's return to the Cincinnati Bengals was made official Thursday, with the franchise announcing he was hired as defensive coordinator. Golden was the Bengals linebackers coach during the 2020 and ’21 seasons before going to Notre Dame,

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. More: 3 Wolverines, 3 ex-Spartans make ESPN list of top 100 college football players from '24-25

The Dolphins are scheduled to play a home game in the upcoming season against Cincinnati, though one of their home games will be played in Spain.

Ohio State weathered a punishing Notre Dame opening drive with smothering defense for the majority of the College Football Playoff finale, but needed to squash a late rally to claim the crown Monday in Atlanta.

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.

ATLANTA -- Al Golden orchestrated a Notre Dame defense that ranked top 10 nationally across myriad categories and spurred the Fighting Irish's run to Monday night's College Football Playoff Championship.