LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Al Golden, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame, has been honored as the Broyles Award winner, an accolade celebrating the best assistant coach in the nation.

Golden played a crucial role in guiding the Fighting Irish to the national championship game last month, after which he joined the Cincinnati Bengals as their defensive coordinator. Under his leadership, Notre Dame’s defense excelled, finishing second in the Football Bowl Subdivision for scoring defense, allowing an average of just 14.3 points per game, and ranking ninth nationally with a total defense averaging 298.3 yards given up per game.

In addition to Golden, four other top contenders for this prestigious award were recognized: Marcus Arroyo, the offensive coordinator from Arizona State; Bryant Haines, the defensive coordinator for Indiana; Tim Banks, who serves as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator; and Pete Kwiatkowski, Texas’s defensive coordinator. The selection committee, which announced the award on Thursday night, consisted of ex-coaches, members of the Football Writers Association of America, and prominent broadcasters.

With this achievement, Golden becomes the 29th recipient of the Broyles Award, established in 1996 in honor of former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles. The award acknowledges the significant impact and contributions of assistant coaches to the success of collegiate football programs.