The Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to hire Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator in January marks a pivotal moment for a franchise aiming to return to championship contention. Golden, a seasoned coach with experience at nearly every level of football, brings a blend of tactical acumen, leadership, and a proven track record of defensive improvement that could reshape the Bengals’ fortunes on that side of the ball.
He was the Bengals’ linebackers coach for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, when he oversaw an impressive improvement year over year. After leading Notre Dame as its defensive coordinator, Golden returns to Cincinnati.
ESPN’s Ben Solak previewed 100 things leading up to this year’s NFL season, and Golden was tabbed as one of 10 names to know:
“Imagine last season’s Bengals with a league-average defense. That’s not just a playoff team. That’s a team that could have beaten the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs or any other AFC contender in any playoff environment. The Bengals’ defensive depth chart remains a substantial impediment to their ascension to league average, but outgoing coordinator Lou Anarumo ran a system renowned for its complexity and need for quality communication, something that many young defenders in Cincinnati struggled to grasp.
“Could Golden, who just worked with young players for three years at Notre Dame, offer a quick boost to early draft picks like Dax Hill or Myles Murph by simplifying their roles? I’m not betting on a big leap in the Bengals’ defense, but it is at least in the cards.”
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A Proven Track Record of Defensive Excellence
Golden’s coaching journey is distinguished by a series of transformative stops. His most recent stint as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator saw the Irish finish as one of the top units in the nation, allowing just 15.5 points per game and reaching the 2024 national title game. Despite falling to Ohio State, Golden’s defenses at Notre Dame were known for their physicality, discipline, and adaptability — qualities the Bengals sorely lacked during a 2024 campaign that saw their defense ranked 25th in both yards and points allowed.
Golden’s earlier NFL experience includes a successful run as the Bengals’ linebackers coach from 2020 to 2021, a period that coincided with the team’s Super Bowl run and a defense that ranked among the league’s best in points allowed. His familiarity with head coach Zac Taylor and the Bengals’ organizational culture is expected to smooth his transition and accelerate the implementation of his vision.
A Philosophy of Smart, Physical, and Adaptable Defense
Al Golden’s defensive philosophy is rooted in a commitment to fundamentals and adaptability. He emphasizes detailed preparation in the offseason, believing that a demanding and organized spring sets the foundation for fast, instinctive play during the season. “I’m not a big believer in drawing up something crazy on a Thursday night,” Golden has said, stressing the importance of a well-developed play menu that endures throughout the year.
His approach to fixing the Bengals’ tackling issues is methodical: “We are going to teach it. We are going to drill it. We are going to quality control it… We’ll repeat that process until it is refined and owned by the players. For that to happen, it has to move from their head to their heart. If they can get to the point we all believe in the same thing and start to see it on tape, that’s when the magic happens.”
While Golden favors 4-3 and 4-2 nickel alignments, he resists rigid schemes, preferring to tailor his system to the strengths of his personnel and remain flexible in response to opponents. His focus on communication, especially in the secondary, and his insistence on high standards for tackling and defending the deep ball signal a shift toward a more aggressive and accountable unit.
Raising the Standard
Golden’s arrival comes with high expectations. He has made it clear that his goal is not merely to elevate the Bengals’ defense to mediocrity but to match the standard of elite teams competing for championships. His blend of NFL and collegiate experience, leadership skills, and commitment to player development positions him as a catalyst for a defensive turnaround in Cincinnati.
If Golden’s philosophy takes hold, the Bengals’ defense could become a smart, physical, and adaptable force—one capable of supporting the team’s high-powered offense and driving Cincinnati back into playoff contention.
Anarumo was able to field a solid defense with a plethora of veteran free agent additions, but struggled with young draft picks. Golden gets to take over with plenty of young talent on whom the Bengals used premium draft capital. Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, Shemar Stewart, Kris Jenkins, McKinnley Jackson, Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight Jr., Dax Hill, Jordan Battle, Cam Taylor-Britt, and DJ Turner were all third-round picks or better. 11 of the Bengals’ defenders were their own premium picks. Then add in Trey Hendrickson, who was a third-round pick for the New Orleans Saints, and Cincinnati should be one of the best defenses out there.
Now, this talent is Al Golden’s to play around with.
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