LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has been named the Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant coach.
Golden helped Notre Dame reach the national championship game last month before he was hired as the Cincinnati Bengals‘ defensive coordinator. The Fighting Irish ranked second in the FBS in scoring defense (14.3 PPG) and ninth in total defense (298.3 YPG).
The other four finalists were Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks and Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. The selection committee for the award announced Thursday night included former coaches, members of the Football Writers Association of America and broadcasters.
Golden is the 29th assistant coach to receive the Broyles Award. It was created in 1996 to recognize former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles’ history of developing assistant coaches.