Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is expected to make a lateral move and accept the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to a report from ProFootball Talk. However, Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith denies the two sides have had contact.
Rod Marinelli expected to become Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator, per report
Marinelli is expected to become the defensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, according to a report, although Lovie Smith says no contact has been made between the two parties.
Following a loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Marinelli is an impending free agent coach after the expiration of his one-year contract with the Cowboys. Marinelli previously worked with Smith during their time with the Chicago Bears, but Smith told the Tampa Bay Times that the report was false:
Smith said Sunday night that he had not spoken to Marinelli and there was “no validity to the story.”
NFL coaching rumors
The Buccaneers finished the 2014 season with the NFL's 25th-ranked defense, led by former Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, who still holds the defensive coordinator job with the team. In Marinelli's first season with the Cowboys, the team's defense improved from worst in the NFL in 2013 to 19th in 2014.
Marinelli previously served as the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2006-08 and was fired after the team finished with an 0-16 record in 2008.
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