'Players Know' - Al Golden Confident in College Evaluation Ability Coming Right From That Level

Cincinnati needs him to be an elite coach on multiple fronts.
Cincinnati Bengals new defensive coordinator Al Golden speaks to the media at Paycor Stadium on Monday, January 27, 2025. Golden returns to Cincinnati after being the defensive coordinator for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Previously he was the Bengals linebacker coach from 2020-21.
Cincinnati Bengals new defensive coordinator Al Golden speaks to the media at Paycor Stadium on Monday, January 27, 2025. Golden returns to Cincinnati after being the defensive coordinator for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Previously he was the Bengals linebacker coach from 2020-21. / Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In this story:

CINCINNATI — New Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden sat down with our James Rapien on Inside The Jungle recently. He dropped a strong declaration about the evaluation advantage of coming straight from the college game to a role where he has a direct impact on who gets drafted to play in Cincinnati.

Golden's old Notre Dame players made a few opponents stick with him across his tenure.

"You watch certain players on tape, or certain players have specific accolades, or this guy's getting the ball a lot. He's a heck of a player. But when your players come over off the sideline, after a drive or two, like 'My God, this guy's different,'" Golden said in the interview. "They said that about one of the Louisville wide receivers early this year and so that stays with you.

"The players know. The players know when somebody's on a completely different, plateau or level, and how they have to adjust their game accordingly. So that helps your feedback. And then just being able to play 30 games in the last two years, and so that's a lot of exposure to a lot of really, really good players. And ultimately, hopefully, I can share that with the organization."

Golden's influence and ability to evaluate are imperative. Cincinnati hamstrings itself financially with how it operates and this franchise's only path to winning a Super Bowl with Joe Burrow is to nail draft picks and have elite coaching boost those picks up.

Their new defensive coordinator will have a huge role in both. Elite execution on that end is Cincinnati's best chance at Super-Bowl glory.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below:

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Report: Arrests Made in Possible Relation to Joe Burrow Home Robbery

'He's an Expert Pass Pro Technician' - NFL World Reacts to Bengals New O-Line Coach Scott Peters

Former Bengals Coach Lou Anarumo Named Colts Defensive Coordinator

Legendary Bengals Coach Jim McNally Praises Offensive Line Hiring of Scott Peters

From Practice Squads to MMA to Cleveland and New England, Scott Peters' Journey Continues as Bengals O-Line Coach

Simple Quote Explains Bengals' Decision to Make Latest O-Line Coach Addition in Quest to Protect Joe Burrow

Bengals Fun Fact: Trio of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Cade York Finish 20-0

ESPN's Ben Solak Predicts Bengals Trade For Falcons Star Tight End Kyle Pitts

Look: Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase Nominated For FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year Award

NFL Insider Dan Graziano Comments on Tee Higgins 'Long Shot' Future With Bengals

Bengals Legend Chimes in on Zac Taylor's Future: 'Now It Starts to Fall Back on You'

Report: Cincinnati Bengals Move on From Two More Coaches, Making Major Changes to Staff

'Would Be a STEAL for the Bengals' - Is Matt Eberflus an Ideal Target in Cincinnati's Defensive Coordinator Search?

Report: Former Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus 'Involved' in Bengals Defensive Coordinator Search

Bengals Stars Ja'Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson Make AP NFL All-Pro Team Following 2024 Season

Who Are Some of the Top Options To Replace Lou Anarumo As Bengals Defensive Coordinator?

-----

Join the 46,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok


Published
Russ Heltman
RUSS HELTMAN

Russ Heltman is a contributor for AllBearcats and AllBengals. He is the morning host and producer for 89.3 WMKV in Cincinnati, OH.  Russ can be found on Twitter: @RussHeltman11 or you can reach him by email at Heltmandm@yahoo.com.