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.

On Wednesday, the Fighting Irish announced Golden's replacement. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Notre Dame agreed to hire Chris Ash as its newest defensive coordinator.

Notre Dame football officially is losing Al Golden to the Bengals. However, the Irish could have an immediate replacement.

Notre Dame has lost a key part of its national championship run with defensive coordinator Al Golden leaving to take the same role for the Cincinnati Bengals ... he turned the Irish defense ...

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is expected to join the Bengals in the same role, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Wednesday. The news comes days after the Fighting Irish lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship game, the school's first title shot of the century.

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.

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

CINCINNATI -- A familiar face is headed back to the Cincinnati Bengals. Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has rejoined the Bengals in the same role, the team announced Thursday.

Notre Dame is set to hire Chris Ash as its defensive coordinator, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reports. The former Rutgers coach replaces Al Golden, who departed his post to take the s

Chris Ash, a former Rutgers head coach who spent the past four years in the NFL, will be Notre Dame's new defensive coordinator.

Al Golden's tenure at Notre Dame was marked by success and significant contributions to the team's defense. As the defensive coordinator, Golden led the Fighting Irish to one of the nation's top defenses, achieving impressive rankings in several categories.