When Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden shot down the idea of joining the Cincinnati Bengals as Zac Taylor fired up the search for a new one, it was hard to tell if he was just going coachspeak with his answer. Bengals fans are getting closer to finding out.

The Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo Monday. Here are three names to watch for potential replacements.

Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is scheduled to interview with the #Falcons today and the #Colts on Wednesday, per sources. The #Bengals also could have interest in Martindale, who is college football’s highest-paid coordinator at Michigan. One to watch. pic.twitter.com/iV6KsWxXn0

Early this week, the Cincinnati Bengals got brought up alongside the name Wink Martindale as they continue to search for their next defensive coordinator. It was an incredibly strange bit of speculation/reporting because the Bengals and Martindale don’t exactly have the friendliest relationship in recent years.

The Atlanta Falcons said goodbye to defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake this week after just one season together. Now, they may have zeroed in on an experienced replacement, with plans to interview former Cincinnati Bengals assistant Lou Anarumo for the same position,

With the Cincinnati Bengals pivoting off Lou Anarumo as their defensive coordinator, all signs point to them replacing him after the College Football Playoff runs its course. Their top choice is coaching in that game and has ties to the Bengals franchise.