Dallas Cowboys Make Rod Marinelli Defensive Coordinator; Promote Kiffin to Ass't Head Coach

When the season ended for the Dallas Cowboys the world assumed that one thing would happen beyond the shadow of a doubt--defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin would be fired. Much to the dismay of fans everywhere the architect of the league's worst defense was retained.

However, as it turns out there may be hope for Big D after all.

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On Tuesday the team officially announced that Scott Linehan had been hired, but than surprised reporters by saying Kiffin will be reassigned and defensive line coach Rod Marinelli will be the new defensive coordinator.

The move could really pay off for the Cowboys. Marinelli served as Lovie Smith's DC for three seasons (2010-12). In that time the Bears defense was pretty good (9th, 17th, and 5th overall). During his final season with the team the unit led the league in turnovers (44) and only allowed 17.3 points a game (3rd in league).

With an offense that scored 27 points a game last season similar production in Dallas would bode well for Cowboys fans. However, in true Jerry Jones-ian form the team still did something truly perplexing--it made Kiffin the assistant head coach/defense.

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2014/01/-cowboys-press-release-on-staff-changes-linehan-to-play-caller-marinelli-to-defensive-coordinator-.html#storylink=cpy

WTF?

The official explanation was that the team still wants him to oversee the move to a 4-3 defense (isn't that what a coordinator does?). He will also be expected to mentor any and all defensive players and coaches.

The real world explanation is this--Jones can't admit that he was wrong and is going to do whatever it takes to fix things so he appears to be right when/if it all works out.

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