Mike Zimmer, who spent last season as the Dallas Cowboys ' defensive coordinator, said he will not be returning to the team on new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's staff and likely will retire from coaching in the NFL, according to a report Sunday from NFL reporter Ed Werder.

Golden should have an advantage over a lot of other defensive coordinator candidates in this department. He coached against 19 different ranked teams in three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator.

The Cincinnati Bengals are continuing the process of filling out the coaching staff under new defensive coordinator Al Golden. Defensive line coach/run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery and linebackers coach Mike Hodges have officially been announced as new hires Monday morning ahead of Golden's first press conference as DC.

"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."

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.

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 was introduced as the new Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Monday. Golden is no stranger to Cincinnati nor head coach Zac Taylor. Before arriving at Notre Dame in 2022, Golden worked as the Bengals linebackers coach from 2020 through 2021.

New defensive coordinator Al Golden and the Cincinnati Bengals filled some holes on their coaching staff, hiring Jerry Montgomery and Mike Hodges, the team announced Monday.

The Most Important Thing Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator Al Golden Said in Introductory Press Conference

The Bengals have made it official with their new defensive coordinator. Cincinnati announced that the club has hired Al Golden for the role. “Al is a very highly regarded coach, and we are excited to welcome him back to the Bengals as defensive ...

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.