Al Golden Wins 2024 Broyles Award as Nation’s Top Assistant Coach
Al Golden, the former defensive coordinator for Notre Dame, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Broyles Award, recognizing him as the top assistant coach in college football. The award, which is presented annually to the best assistant coach in the nation, highlights Golden’s outstanding contributions to the Fighting Irish defense throughout the season.
Golden’s leadership and strategic play-calling helped Notre Dame build one of the most formidable defensive units in the country. Under his guidance, the Irish consistently ranked among the nation’s best in key defensive categories, including total defense, scoring defense, and turnovers forced. His ability to develop players, adjust schemes, and prepare his unit for high-stakes games played a crucial role in Notre Dame’s success.
Upon receiving the award, Golden expressed gratitude to his coaching staff, players, and the entire Notre Dame community. “This honor is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our players and coaching staff. It’s not about one person; it’s about the collective effort of everyone involved in this program,” Golden said during his acceptance speech.
The Broyles Award is named after Frank Broyles, the legendary Arkansas head coach who was known for mentoring some of the best assistant coaches in college football history. Previous winners of the award include now-renowned head coaches such as Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, and Brent Venables.
Golden’s coaching journey has been marked by success at multiple levels of football. Before joining Notre Dame, he served as the head coach at Temple and Miami, as well as an assistant in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals. His experience and tactical knowledge made him a valuable asset to Notre Dame’s coaching staff, and his impact was evident in the team’s defensive dominance throughout the season.
Following this achievement, speculation has grown about Golden’s future. With the Broyles Award under his belt, he may attract interest for head coaching opportunities at both the college and professional levels. However, he has remained focused on his role and emphasized his commitment to helping his players succeed on and off the field.
For fans wanting to watch his acceptance speech, the full video is available on the Broyles Award’s official social media pages, as well as on YouTube.
Al Golden’s recognition as the nation’s top assistant coach is a testament to his exceptional leadership and dedication to the game. His impact on Notre Dame football will be remembered for years to come.
