Choose your Al Golden storyline for Thursday's Orange Bowl ... Dame defensive coordinator — will help guide the Fighting Irish (13-1) into the College Football Playoff national semifinals on Thursday night, when they take on the Nittany Lions (13-2).

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden did not confirm or deny his interest in the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator position, which is currently open. During media availability for his side’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearance on Saturday,

How the Notre Dame defensive coordinator is trying his best put away his Penn State feelings for one important College Football Playoff night.

Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden and Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have plenty of experience and will finally coach against each other Monday.

Colts Neck Al Golden, once a star tight end for Penn State, will coach against his alma mater with Notre Dame in the CFP Orange Bowl.

The Irish have been so well coached that NFL teams have taken notice. In recent weeks, reports have indicated that Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and defensive coordinator Al Golden are receiving interest from the professional ranks.

The Cincinnati Bengals seem like a team with eyes for Al Golden as the next defensive coordinator, at least once he wraps up his season with Notre Dame on Monday night in the title game. Golden, though, has previously shot down the idea of joining the Bengals due to his focus on Notre Dame’s College Football playoff push.

Here's a look back at Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden's ties to Penn State ahead of Thursday's Orange Bowl:

Tom Deahn left football behind in 2012, but he’s torn on who to root for when Golden and Franklin meet for a chance at a BCS national championship

Analyzing the key matchups where Notre Dame can capitalize against Ohio State in the CFP National Championship showdown.

Al Golden knows that Notre Dame needs to be at its best defensively on Monday to take down Ohio State's aerial threat.