With Notre Dame coming up just short of winning a national title, it gives the Cincinnati Bengals the go-ahead to be in hot pursuit of the Fighting Irish's defensive coordinator Al Golden. His return to Cincinnati may be what turns the Bengals around.

The Cincinnati Bengals will be closely watching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship for one key reason. This past season, the Bengals had a special year, though not a good year. Quarterback Joe Burrow played at an MVP level while Ja'Marr Chase was the NFL 's leading receiver.

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.

ATLANTA -- Al Golden orchestrated a Notre Dame defense that ranked top 10 nationally across myriad categories and spurred the Fighting Irish's run to Monday night's College Football Playoff Championship.

Mickens is the man responsible for Cincinnati's recruitment and signing of eventual NFL First Round Draft Pick Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner, already a Pro Bowler, as well as Notre Dame's recruitment and signing of Ben Morrison, Christian Gray and Leonard Moore.

The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly looking to hire Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden for the same job.

After days of reports and speculation following Notre Dame’s national championship loss to Ohio State, the Cincinnati Bengals announced on Thursday afternoon that Golden has been hired as the team’s next defensive coordinator.

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

Programs like Notre Dame, regardless of coming off a national championship appearance or not, are now focused on maintaining their rosters and staffs as rival schools will inevitably be looking to poach talent.

It took only a couple of days for the Notre Dame college football team to lose several of their most important pieces to this year's successful season. But few losses loom larger than defensive coordinator Al Golden leaving for the NFL.

Ohio State football will host its national championship celebration Sunday. After that, perhaps there will finally be a decision made by Jim Knowles, whom Oklahoma covets for its DC vacancy.