Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals will have a familiar face as their next defensive coordinator. Al Golden agreed to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator,

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.

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is expected to join the Bengals in the same role, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Wednesday.

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

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.

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

Al Golden is set to join the Bengals as their next defensive coordinator, after leading Notre Dame to the CFP national title game.

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.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Zac Taylor will get their top choice for defensive coordinator with Al Golden. As expected, Golden wrapped things up at Notre Dame and met with the Beng