“We are excited to add Al and Steve to our staff,” head coach Zac Taylor said in a news release. “They are both impressive coaches and will bring great experience to our team.”
Golden joins the Bengals after four seasons on the Detroit Lions’ staff, where he coached tight ends before moving to defense with the linebackers in 2018. He replaces Tem Lubaku, who last month was named Boston College’s defensive coordinator.
The 50-year-old Golden served as the Miami Hurricanes’ head coach from 2011 to 2015 and also was head coach at Temple from 2006 to 2010. Prior to becoming a head coach, Golden also served as defensive coordinator at the University of Virginia from 2001 to 2005 and coaches linebackers at Penn State (2000) and Boston College (1997-99).
Jackson, also 50, served as the New York Jets’ assistant defensive backs coach the past two years and replaces Daronte Jones, whose contract expired and was not renewed. Prior to his time with the Jets, Jackson coached defensive backs with the Tennessee Titans (2016-17), Detroit Lions (2013), Washington Redskins (2004-11) and Buffalo Bills (2001-03). Jackson played nine seasons (1991-99) as a defensive back for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans and helped the team to a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Simmons, 46, returns for his 18th season with the Bengals, making him the longest-tenured coach on the staff, as he has spent his entire time in Cincinnati leading the team’s special teams units. His value hasn’t gone unnoticed, as several NFL coaches have praised his coaching ability and he proved a helpful resource to Taylor in his first year as a head coach in 2019.
“Darrin has done an excellent job with the special teams unit for a long time, and he is an integral part of this organization,” Taylor said. “I look forward to his continued help going forward.”
About the Author