Cincinnati is finalizing a deal to hire Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden to run its defense. Golden helped lead the Fighting Irish to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game where they lost to Ohio State. He is expected to officially sign with the team on Thursday.

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job has been open for more than two weeks now, but there hasn't been much movement on a possible hiring and now we know why: The team was waiting for Notre Dame to finish its season.

Despite suffering significant injuries on the defensive line throughout the season and postseason, and losing expected first-round pick, cornerback Benjamin Morrison to a season-ending hip injury against Stanford, Golden's defense has been one of the best units in the country in 2024.