CINCINNATI — Zac Taylor graced the podium with new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden on Monday. He gave some new knowledge into Cincinnati's process for hiring new assistant coaches on his staff. Golden was the man for the job after a weeks-long search.

Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t done much to hide their intentions when it comes to the team’s next defensive corodsintoer. The transparent, narrow search to fill the position has always obviously centered on Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden. Those plans took another step on Monday night.

The Cincinnati Bengals have hired Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden as the next defensive coordinator of the franchise, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Wednesday. Golden currently serves as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator after two years on head coach Zac Taylor’s staff from 2020-21.

"Al is a very highly regarded coach, and we are excited to welcome him back to the Bengals as defensive coordinator," head coach Zac Taylor said in a statement released by the team. "He ...

CINCINNATI — Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden spent 30+ minutes meeting with the media on Monday afternoon.

The Cincinnati Bengals have found their next defensive coordinator – and he has prior experience under head coach Zac Taylor.

"There's only 32 of these," Golden said when asked why he wanted to return to the Bengals after a successful stint in the college ranks, at Notre Dame. "There's even less that have Joe Burrow."

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news: “The #Bengals are finalizing a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who is expected to be in Cincinnati on Thursday to officially sign on as DC, sources tell The Insiders.”

Al Golden agreed to return to the Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator.

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.

The Cincinnati Bengals made the hire of Al Golden as the team's new defensive coordinator official on Thursday afternoon. Head coach Zac Taylor fired Lou Anarumo immediately after the season and held a limited search in hiring his replacement. It was clear from the begining that Taylor wanted to hire Golden for the position.