Notre Dame didn't accomplish its biggest team goal of 2024, but did take huge steps in moving the program forward despite a national championship game loss.

Al Golden agreed to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. More: 3 Wolverines, 3 ex-Spartans make ESPN list of top 100 college football players from '24-25

Only one game remains in what has been the longest college football season in history, which started way back on Aug. 24, 2024, when Georgia Tech upset then-No. 10 Florida State 24-21 in Ireland. That contest in Week 0 certainly set the tone for what would be a wild college football season that will go down in the memory banks.