SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Nine final thoughts on Notre Dame going out (almost) on top after its 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman is shouldering the blame for the Irish 34-23 loss to Ohio State in Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship. Notre Dame fell into a 24-point hole against the Buckeyes midway through the third quarter that Freeman said was the result of uncharacteristic mistakes in communication for which he takes all the blame.

After the Notre Dame football team lost to Ohio State in the national title game, Marcus Freeman spoke on the future of the program.

A Penn State letterman and highly-coveted assistant coach is returning to the NFL. Al Golden, Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, is leaving to take the same position with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

The Cincinnati Bengals are finalizing a deal to make Notre Dame's Al Golden their new defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Golden will arrive at the Bengals' facility Thursday to sign his deal.