AL GOLDEN, NOTRE DAME DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
- Notre Dame ended their season 14-2, earning more wins in a season than any team in Irish history and defeating a ranked team in six different months, a first in FBS history.
- In his 3rd year as DC with the Irish, Golden has improved its scoring defense 34 positions to #4 in the nation, 9 positions to #4 in the nation in passing yards allowed and 111 positions in red zone defense to #18 in the nation.
- Notre Dame defense collected more turnovers than another team in America with 33 total, 19 interceptions and 14 fumbles.
- Notre Dame held 11 of its 16 opponents to 16 points or less and only 2 teams scored 30 or more points against the Irish – USC 35, Ohio State 34
- Notre Dame held 9 of its 16 opponents to 135 or fewer passing yards this season, marking the most instances among all FBS programs.
- In a 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl (CFP quarterfinal), Notre Dame became the first team to ever post 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in a CFP game, accomplishing the feat in the first half.
- In a 27-24 victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal), Notre Dame’s defense held PSU to 135 passing yards and did not allow a completion to a PSU wide receiver.
- Notre Dame played in the national championship game for the first time since 2012
Improvement of defensive national rankings from 2022 to 2024
Final NCAA Stat rankings of 133 Teams Ranking Improvement from 2022
NCAA RANKINGS
2022 total defense #21 329.3
2024 total defense #11 307.4
** 10 spot improvement #21 to 11
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2022 Passing yds allowed #23 198.0
2024 Passing yds allowed #4 169.4
** 19 spot improvement #23 to 4
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2022 Scoring defense #38 20.3
2024 Scoring defense #4 15.5
** 34 spot improvement #38 to 4
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2022 Red Zone defense #129 0.941
2024 Red Zone defense #18 0.756
** 111 spot improvement #129 to 18
