Rank our Coaches (2025)

[*ochocincos*]

Without seeing Golden actually run a defense in the NFL, I had to go 15-21.
Running a college defense and NFL defense are obviously going to be different.
And Golden took over an already-good college defense and made it just a bit better.

Prior to Golden coming in, ND finished their season with 19.7 Points Allowed Per Game, which ranked T14 in FBS.
ND defense rankings 2022-2024 were:
2022 - 23.0 PAPG (39th)
2023 - 15.9 (T7th with my Miami Redhawks )
2024 - 15.5 (T4th)

So yes, he did help improve the defense, but how effective will he be taking over a poor defense and making them actually good as opposed to taking what's already good and making them a bit better?
I'm not saying he can't, but we haven't seen him as a DC in the NFL yet, so there's some uncertainty, and I tend to be more skeptical with the unknown than optimistic.

If Golden really can turn this defense though into at least middle of the pack and the offense can perform like last year, this can be a Top 10 team.