New Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden won the 2024 Broyles Award Thursday night, given to college football's top assistant coach.
Golden led the Notre Dame defense to one of its most successful seasons in team history, allowing 15.5 points per game. The unit helped propel the Irish to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the National Championship. Notre Dame led the country in turnovers (33), defensive touchdowns (six) and defensive pass efficency (104.4), while also finishing fourth in passing yards allowed (169.4 per game), fifth in interceptions (19) and second in fumble recoveries (14).
"Thank you to [Notre Dame Head] Coach [Marcus] Freeman for believing in me, but not just believing in me, but to create and foster an environment that allowed me to be the best that I could be," Golden said during his acceptance speech. "I can't thank the players enough and the opportunity that they provided, not just myself but my family to go on that journey with them. And for that, I'll be forever grateful."
Golden became the second Notre Dame coach to win the award, joining Bob Diaco in 2012. The award is named for former Arkansas coach and athletic director Frank Broyles and was first given out in 1996.
Golden joined Notre Dame as defensive coordinator after a stint with the Bengals as linebackers coach. Now, he'll rejoin the Cincinnati locker room with some hardware in tow.
