Al Golden, Notre Dame DC, makes ESPN’s list of coordinators ‘heating up’ in 2023

Al Golden could be in position to receive serious head coaching consideration with another good season in South Bend, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

On Friday, Rittenberg published a list of coordinators

throughout the country who will enter 2023 with realistic head coaching aspirations for the future.

Golden made the list as an established coordinator who could earn another shot at running a program. Here’s Rittenberg’s analysis:

His return to college football after six seasons in the NFL went smoothly, as Notre Dame’s defense held steady in most areas despite losing some key players from 2021. Golden, 53, received some FBS head-coaching interest this offseason but will remain with the Fighting Irish alongside coach Marcus Freeman for a second season. His college experience on the East Coast and in the Midwest, plus stints with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, increase his appeal. Golden wasn’t a good fit at Miami, but the problems at the U clearly go beyond him. He should get another shot to lead a program.

The 2022 campaign was Golden’s 1

st as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. He came to South Bend after NFL stints with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.

Golden previously served as the head coach at Temple and Miami. Most recently with the Hurricanes, Golden led that program to a 35-25 record in 5 seasons at the helm.