Golden Hired as NFL Coordinator
Golden, a well-seasoned coach, has been appointed as an NFL coordinator, marking his first role in the position. Prior to this, he spent two seasons as a linebackers coach under head coach Zac Taylor in Cincinnati, followed by a stint as the head coach at Notre Dame in 2022. Golden’s extensive coaching experience dates back to the mid-1990s, where he held various positions at different colleges.
Golden has also had roles on both sides of the ball, serving as an assistant coach with the Detroit Lions from 2016 to 2019, focusing on linebackers and tight ends. He previously held head coaching positions at Temple (2006-2010) and Miami (2011-2015).
The Cincinnati Bengals, where Golden will be joining, are coming off a season that saw them miss the playoffs with a 9-8 record, despite a late-season push. The team’s defense, which struggled throughout the 2024 season, ranked 25th in both yards and points allowed. This led to significant changes to the defensive unit in 2023. However, during Golden’s time as a coach on the Bengals’ staff (2020-2021), the team enjoyed its best defensive success, reaching the Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game, and finishing with the sixth-fewest points allowed.