Former Nittany Lion Al Golden headed to Notre Dame

Former Penn State Football coach and Nittany Lion Al Golden is the next defensive coordinator at Notre Dame

Former Penn State Football coach Al Golden has been announced as the new Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach.

Golden college football for our blue and white and won the 1991 Ridge Riley Award, given to a player who excels in sportsmanship, friendship, leadership, and scholarship.

The 1991 Penn State Football team that Golden played tight end for, won the Fiesta Bowl and finished with a #3 ranking in the AP Poll. Golden played one year in the NFL for the Patriots.

After spending time at Virginia and Boston College, Golden returned to his alma mater to coach the linebackers in 200.  He then moved onto the UVA Defensive Coordinator position before returning to PA to be the head coach at Temple.

Golden was rumored heavily as a potential replacement for Paterno/Bradley but was hired by Miami to be their head coach until 2015, despite more rumors he could replace Bill O’Brien (current head coach James Franklin was hired instead).

Golden then moved to the NFL, coaching both tight ends and linebackers for the Detriot Lions and just this year coached in the Super Bowl as the Cincinnati Bengals linebackers coach.

Marcus Freeman, the previous defensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish was announced as the head coach of Notre Dame in December.  Freeman and Notre Dame announced the hire of Golden yesterday as their next defensive coordinator.