The Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job has been open for more than two weeks now, but there hasn't been much movement on a possible hiring and now we know why: The team was waiting for Notre Dame to finish its season.

The Cincinnati Bengals didn't want a bronze or silver candidate to be their new defensive coordinator; only a Golden opportunity piqued head coach Zac Taylor's interest. Al Golden is back in Cincinnati and beginning the process of applying everything he's learned from the past three years of leading Notre Dame's defense.

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.