DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Al Golden is set to take center stage in the Orange Bowl on Thursday, facing off against his former school, Penn State, where he served as a captain. The game will unfold at Hard Rock Stadium, a venue that carries complicated memories for him, especially after a tenure with Miami that saw him exit under a cloud of dissatisfaction from fans.
Despite the backdrop of facing his alma mater and the historical weight of his previous stint at Miami, Golden asserts that these factors are irrelevant as he prepares for the big game. As the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame, he is focused solely on guiding the Fighting Irish (13-1) into the College Football Playoff national semifinals against the Nittany Lions (13-2). Although the memories linger, he is committed to blocking out any potential distractions.
“I don’t take anything for granted at my age,” Golden remarked. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity. Just staying focused, just staying humble, just staying in the moment, not worrying about anything. Whether it’s the fact that I went to Penn State or anything on the outside, I’m just concentrating and just being really, really focused on the moment and being the best I can for these players. They deserve that.”
Golden has revisited Hard Rock Stadium a couple of times since his tenure ended, but he insists that returning to familiar turf won’t cloud his focus on the game ahead. He recalls moments spent with his previous neighbor, receiving messages of support from parents who have children that played with his, a testament to the deep connections formed in the community.
“Al Golden is one of us, he’s a Penn Stater,” commented Penn State coach James Franklin. “I’ve known Al for a long time. Been a head coach; been in the NFL. He’s done a great job with their defense. Again, very sound, very aggressive, very disruptive.”
Golden’s impact at Notre Dame cannot be overlooked. His defense has achieved remarkable success this season, holding 12 opponents to 17 points or fewer, tying with Ohio State for the most such games nationally. The Irish currently rank first in the nation for takeaways, second in points allowed per game, and eighth in yards allowed, a commendable feat achieved amidst an independent schedule that lacks the consistency of rivals playing in the same conference.
“Coach Golden, I call him the Godfather, like from the movies,” said Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler. “He’s just so motivated and when he says something, things have to move — and that’s just how we play for him.”
Golden began his tenure at Miami in December 2010 with dreams of a national championship, but he quickly faced challenges, including NCAA sanctions that hampered his efforts. His arrival coincided with issues stemming from a former booster’s illegal activities, which only complicated matters. Throughout his five-season stint, Golden endured the fallout from the ongoing NCAA investigation, which included scholarship reductions.
The culmination of his struggles was a harrowing 58-0 loss to Clemson on October 24, 2015, which marked the worst defeat in Miami’s football history. Discontent grew among the fanbase, leading to banner planes calling for his dismissal. Despite the mounting pressure, Golden returned to work the following day, abiding by his routine of early arrivals at the office. However, shortly after that Sunday’s preparation, he was informed by the athletic director that the board had decided to release him, a decision that ended his time abruptly.
Those challenges are now part of Golden’s past. He feels that he never truly received a fair opportunity at Miami due to complications surrounding NCAA rules. Following his time there, he garnered NFL experience, even reaching a Super Bowl while with Cincinnati, before joining Notre Dame under head coach Marcus Freeman.
“It means everything,” Golden expressed. “I mean, that’s why you do it. To have this opportunity and to navigate what was a challenging road … it’s hard to get here.”
Demonstrating expertise and composure, Golden has played a pivotal role in propelling the Irish within striking distance of a national title, largely thanks to the defensive strategies he has implemented.
“He’s been a tremendous hire for our program,” Freeman noted. “Not just our defense. He is a tireless worker. He’s got experience. He’s intelligent. He finds a way to motivate his players and to get them to play at a high level. He’s been huge.”
