Report: Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor 'Paused' Defensive Coordinator Search to Speak With Al Golden

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Tayor has made his first hire since firing four coaches following the season. On Monday, the team announced Scott Peters as its new offensive line coach and Mike McCarthy as an assistant offensive line coach.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouts at an official as a replay runs on the video board in the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Reports emerged that Golden, who spent the last three seasons as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, was the frontrunner to replace former coordinator Lou Anarumo. Golden then interviewed the Bengals after Notre Dame lost the CFP National Championship Game earlier this week and subsequently informed the program he was departing.

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledges fans after the victory over the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kati

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) smiles after completing a deep pass in the first quarter of the NFL Week 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at PayCor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Al Golden’s return to the Cincinnati Bengals was made official Thursday, with the franchise announcing he was hired as defensive coordinator.

The Cincinnati Bengals announced the hiring of Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday. Golden, 55, spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.

The New York Jets are filling trimming down their list of candidates regarding their searches for a new head coach and general manager according to a report. Per SportsNet New York, the Jets have began letting candidates that were interviewed for both positions that they…

After firing Lou Anarumo following the season, it was clear from the start that Taylor was targeting Golden for the job. Taylor reportedly interviewed Patrick Graham and DeMarcus Covington for the job but ultimately decided to select Golden for the job.

The Cincinnati Bengals hired Notre Dame's Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator, the team announced Thursday.