Notre Dame DC Al Golden Wins Broyles Award over Indiana's Bryant Haines

Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden won the 2024 Broyles Award over Indiana Hoosier defensive coordinator Bryant Haines.

The Broyles Award is awarded to college football's top assistant coach, the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation was announced Friday night.

Al Golden, was recently named the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator on Jan. 23, but helped guide the Fighting Irish to the national championship in 2024, before eventually losing to Ohio State. Golden is the second former Notre Dame coach to be named the nation's top assistant, joining 2012 Bob Diaco.

""Thank you to [Notre Dame Head] Coach [Marcus] Freeman for believing in me, but not just believing in me, but to create and foster an environment that allowed me to be the best that I could be," Golden said during his acceptance speech. "I can't thank the players enough and the opportunity that they provided, not just myself but my family to go on that journey with them. And for that, I'll be forever grateful.""

Al Golden

Bryant Haines became the second Indiana assistant coach named a finalist for the award. He joined Kane Wommack, who was a finalist in 2020 and 2021 under former head coach Tom Allen.

Earlier this week, Haines signed a new contract with Indiana and his starting salary is $2 million a year through the 2027 season, per a copy of the agreement according to The Herald-Times

Haines along with Mike Shanahan and Curt Cignetti led the way as the Hoosiers were ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense this year and was key in IU’s run to 11 wins and a Playoff berth.

The other three finalists were Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks and Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.

Here below is Bryant Haines speech from the Broyles Award ceremony from Friday night.