The Cowboys announced that they have promoted Rod Marinelli from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator. Former DC Monte Kiffin, meanwhile, has been shifted over to an assistant coaching role on defense. The newly-hired Scott Linehan will serve as the Cowboys’ passing game coordinator and play caller.
Dallas’ announcement also infers that Bill Callahan will remain with the staff in 2014 as offensive coordinator. Callahan was rumored to be in the mix for the Browns’ OC vacancy and even though the Cowboys said he wouldn’t be available, speculation persisted following the hiring of Linehan. However, with Linehan at passing game coordinator, it would seem that there will still be room on board for Callahan.
Marinelli has 17 years of NFL coaching on his resume and is best known for a difficult three year run as the Lions’ head coach. Detroit went 10-38 during Marinelli’s time on the sidelines including their infamous 0-16 season in 2008. He served as the Bears’ D-Line coach in 2009 and got bumped up to DC in 2010. After a three-year stretch, he left Chicago even though incoming coach Marc Trestman said he wanted to keep him.
Kiffin, 74 in February, is one of the most highly-regarded defensive coordinators in NFL history. Unfortunately, his Dallas defense was pitiful in 2013, allowing a league worst 415.3 yards per game.