Top Penn State Defensive Coordinator Candidate Takes NFL Job

There had been some thought that Notre Dame defensive coordinator, and Penn State Football leterman, Al Golden could be a top candidate for the Nittany Lions‘ defensive coordinator vacancy.

However, according to an ESPN report, Golden is leaving the Fighting Irish to become the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator. It was always a longshot that Golden would return to Happy Valley, but he departs South Bend days after Notre Dame fell to Ohio State in the College Football National Championship Game.

Penn State head coach James Franklin must now turn his attention to the other candidates to fill the role vacated by Tom Allen’s departure to take on the same role at Clemson.

Penn State Football, Al Golden — Sep 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defensive Coordinator Al Golden watches warnups before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

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Earlier this offseason, former Nittany Lion D’anton Lynn opted to stay at USC despite reported overtures and interest from Penn State.

Franklin and Penn State Football are in the midst of searching for a new defensive coordinator for a second consecutive offseason following Manny Diaz’s departure to become the head coach at Duke, last winter.

Penn State Football, James Franklin — Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Joe Staszak

Penn State Sports Columnist at NittanyCental

A proud graduate of Villanova University, Staszak’s first gig in the industry was with PRISM sports in 1989, covering the four local home teams, the Flyers, 76ers and Phillies while also covering the Randall Cunningham-led Philadelphia Eagles.

It was at PRISM where Staszak produced live games and began his career as an on-air reporter.

After a couple of brief stints with CBS-3, WB-17 and WGAL-8 in Lancaster, PA, Staszak began a 12 year stretch at FOX 29 where he became the lead sportscaster in 2007. It was there that Staszak found himself in the middle of Philadelphia Phillies World Series Championship coverage that earned him an Emmy nomination for best sports reporter in 2008.It was one of five Emmy nominations that Staszak earned over the course of his career.

All told Staszak covered three World Series, two Stanley Cup Finals, an NBA Finals and one Super Bowl during his television run.

Staszak left the TV business for 97.5 The Fanatic in 2013, where he enjoyed eight years bloviating his beliefs on how a professional football team should be run.In 2018 when he fortunate enough to be the first sports talk host in the city, along with cohort Zach Gelb, to provide post-game coverage of the first Super Bowl Championship for the city’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles.

Staszak was also a writer for 97.5 The Fanatic along with 4 Philly Sports and now covers Penn State athletics for NittanyCentral.com.

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