Al Golden

[Bane]

And that seems like a real longshot to me. They're going more and more to younger, offensive guys. If the Bengals Defense becomes great under Golden he's got a shot, but if they are just league average he'll never get a sniff at NFL HC.

Back end FBS is the most likely path for him as a HC. And there's another pay cut.
I type this shit knowing I'm screaming in the dark, he's going to do what he's going to do. It just seems dumb to me.

It might be a long shot, but as long as he stays a college coach it's a no shot. If he turns around Cincy's defense, or is even perceived to, and Cincy goes on a deep playoff run next year (not impossible with their QB), he could get a HC gig possibly.

 

[Bane]

The II post game podcast said that his best path to being a HC is NFL instead of college. If that's his goal, good for him and go chase it

I agree, because he doesn't want to recruit. It's my understanding he has a sort of understanding now where he does minimal recruiting. As a HC, that's not really gonna cut it.

 

[IrishWayDomer]

Bengals to interview Al Golden Wednesday, per report

There's familiarity and the salary will be known. So no sense in interviewing if you're not going. Time to make a list, starting with Mickens IMO.

I really prefer the next DC be in the booth so we can see and make adjustments in real time, not half time.

 

[greyhammer90]

I think you are going to see college coaches turn over faster than ever before. When adults have to kiss kids asses over money, I suspect that will wear thin on everyone quick.

That's funny I feel like its the opposite. If I was a coach I would much rather tell the boosters who they should pay or have a hard conversation with a kid on his monetary value than dance with him on TikTok to show how relatable I am.

 

[IrishLax]

For real though, I do not understand the zero blitz here. Look how wasted Watts is. You're telling me it wouldn't have been better to put a safety over top of Smith?

Story of the game is simple -- ND effectively shut down Ohio State with CJ Stroud + MHJr + JSN // McCord + MHJr + Egbuka two years in a row. This year no Morrison and Chip Kelly seemed to have Golden's number. Like this play call beats ND's coverage 100 out of 100 times unless someone completely whiffs on an inside block.

 

[IrishLion]

For real though, I do not understand the zero blitz here. Look how wasted Watts is. You're telling me it wouldn't have been better to put a safety over top of Smith?

Story of the game is simple -- ND effectively shut down Ohio State with CJ Stroud + MHJr + JSN // McCord + MHJr + Egbuka two years in a row. This year no Morrison and Chip Kelly seemed to have Golden's number. Like this play call beats ND's coverage 100 out of 100 times unless someone completely whiffs on an inside block.

It's really a "pick your poison" situation imo, so I understand Golden trying to mix it up to find something that might work. I think I would have preferred X staying back, especially since your blitzes haven't gotten home all night. But ND was literally at the end of their rope. They had played almost 50/50 man vs zone in the game. They tried dropping 8 in key situations, they tried bringing 8 in key situations, etc.

They mixed everything up, and none of it worked, so I get Golden going for broke. Either you get home finally, or else you hopefully rush the throw and force a mistake. And if that's the decision you're making, of course you're gonna send X on the blitz to try and do what he's done all year... deliver a game-changing play.

 

[Kingbish01]

That's funny I feel like its the opposite. If I was a coach I would much rather tell the boosters who they should pay or have a hard conversation with a kid on his monetary value than dance with him on TikTok to show how relatable I am.

Ya, but what happens when MF loses Price to UGA after dealing with him since 10th grade. Or Greathouse comes in his office and says "I had a nice little 3 game run, UT offered me 2.5 milly" Or Leonard Moore says "I don't like the way Al Golden talked to me last week...I'm going home to A&M.

All stupid/ridiculous scenarios, but all could happen. I'd much rather deal with an NFL roster than tip toe around how I coach because in college they can jump ship quick.

 

[stpeteirish]

Interview is tomorrow according to numerous scribes. A formality, he's not going to fly down there and say no.

Freeman needs to make up his mind quickly as to elevating Mickens. Also needs to determine if doing an outside search will cost us Mickens. Outside guy better have a DB coach in mind who is damned good if we choose to go that route.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

The II post game podcast said that his best path to being a HC is NFL instead of college. If that's his goal, good for him and go chase it

Brice & Prister were getting contentious about Mickens. Prister seemed to side w/ Pete’s claim that Mickens won’t be the next DC while Brice said he would be shocked if he didn’t, at a minimum; get offered a co-DC position. Maybe wishful thinking, but I tend to side with Brice.

 

[greyhammer90]

Brice & Prister were getting contentious about Mickens. Prister seemed to side w/ Pete’s claim that Mickens won’t be the next DC while Brice said he would be shocked if he didn’t, at a minimum; get offered a co-DC position. Maybe wishful thinking, but I tend to side with Brice.

I think Prister was commenting that Brice was hedging and Brice didn't like that. Brice said that he disagreed with Sampson's prediction that Mickens wouldnt be DC and said that Mickens would likely be "at least Co-DC". Prister noted (and I agree with him) that there is a pretty big distinction between being DC and Co-DC. Co-DC can effectively just be a more important title and money. DC would mean that Mickens is calling plays and it's 100% his defense.

 

[Irish#1]

Has there been any real conversations that we know of on Mickens being the guy or is it just conjecture from writers and this board due to the outstanding job he's done with the DB's?

 

[Irish#1]

It's really a "pick your poison" situation imo, so I understand Golden trying to mix it up to find something that might work. I think I would have preferred X staying back, especially since your blitzes haven't gotten home all night. But ND was literally at the end of their rope. They had played almost 50/50 man vs zone in the game. They tried dropping 8 in key situations, they tried bringing 8 in key situations, etc.

They mixed everything up, and none of it worked, so I get Golden going for broke. Either you get home finally, or else you hopefully rush the throw and force a mistake. And if that's the decision you're making, of course you're gonna send X on the blitz to try and do what he's done all year... deliver a game-changing play.

My only thought was why not put Moore on him if you're going to make that call?

 

[benneboy]

Ok hot take here if Golden leaves. I don't think there's anyone out there we can grab that can equal Al Golden except for 1 coach. Marcus Freeman. Promote Mickens to DC while Freeman runs the defense and show Mickens the ropes of his system for a year or 2 then give Mickens the reigns.

This may also be the worst idea ever and too much on Freeman's plate but there are other coaches that do this like Sark at UT.

 

[Rizzophil]

Has there been any real conversations that we know of on Mickens being the guy or is it just conjecture from writers and this board due to the outstanding job he's done with the DB's?

I think Al golden and Marci freeman both publicly said mickins is ready to be a DC

could be coach speak or this was planned. Who knows

 

[calvegas04]

Enjoy bad spaghetti Al

 

[Kingbish01]

I think it's 98% (would have said 100% if they won) Golden is gone, and 90% Mickens will be promoted.

 

[Kingbish01]

That and X looked lost on the play.

My only thought was why not put Moore on him if you're going to make that call?

That and X was lost in the play, stuck in no man's land. Should have been cover 1, but what do I know.

 

[Dale]

 

[irishff1014]

Ok hot take here if Golden leaves. I don't think there's anyone out there we can grab that can equal Al Golden except for 1 coach. Marcus Freeman. Promote Mickens to DC while Freeman runs the defense and show Mickens the ropes of his system for a year or 2 then give Mickens the reigns.

This may also be the worst idea ever and too much on Freeman's plate but there are other coaches that do this like Sark at UT.

The good thing is the OC doesn’t really need his help.

 

[Dale]

Look at Golden in the bottom right of the photo lmao


Had to feel so bad given what just happened and will happen next

 

[IrishLax]

You gotta credit Kelly, probably one of two games all year where Golden was outcoached / outprepared. Between some of the play designs and how they used Howard's legs more than they had all year it was elite stuff.

 

[indianamouse]

You gotta credit Kelly, probably one of two games all year where Golden was outcoached / outprepared. Between some of the play designs and how they used Howard's legs more than they had all year it was elite stuff.

What was the other game?

 

[benneboy]

What was the other game?

Id assume USC

 

[Dale]

I think OSU was the only team in the country with a better OC/DC pair

 

[IrishTusker]

So OSU gets a sitting college HC to come be their OC. We lose coordinators to the same job in the NFL, for less money. Is that right?

 

[NDPhilly]

Chip Kelly is an absolute anomaly, There’s nothing You can do about Al Golden wanting to be an NFL head coach. He’s going to take a major decrease in pay To be the Bengals dc.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I think OSU was the only team in the country with a better OC/DC pair

Agree. Not a huge huge difference...but then add the toys each team has...yeah no bueno

 

[IrishLax]

What was the other game?

USC. That was not a good showing, tape and advanced stats for that game do not paint a pretty picture.

 

[Huntr]

Ended up with the #1 Defense per FEI, despite the youth and catastrophic injuries this year.

That a hell of a job done.

 

[NDPhilly]

Worth noting that Al Golden was not some mastermind DC when we hired him. Freeman obviously absolutely nailed the hire, but i'm sure it was very collaborative between the two of them. Golden really didnt have a ton of experience calling defenses.