Marinelli is one of the NFL's most highly regarded defensive line coaches.
Former Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli is in Houston today interviewing with the Texans about a position on the team's defensive coaching staff. Marinelli could be a candidate for the Texans' vacant defensive coordinator or defensive line coach positions.
Marinelli earned acclaim as one of the league's best defensive line coaches during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2005. He also served as the Bucs' assistant head coach from 2002-05, winning a Super Bowl ring in 2002.
In Tampa, Marinelli tutored perennial All-Pro defensive linemen Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice. The top-six sack totals in Buccaneers' history occurred during Marinelli's tenure, and the 328.5 sacks recorded by the defensive line in his 10 years with the Bucs ranked first among all NFL defensive lines during that time span.
From 2006-08, Marinelli served as head coach of the Lions. He was dismissed following the 2008 season after the Lions finished 0-16. Marinelli compiled a 10-38 record in Detroit. He previously was a college defensive line coach for 19 years at USC (1995), Arizona State (1992-94), California (1983-89) and Utah State (1976-81).
It has been reported that Marinelli, 59, already has met with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks about job openings since leaving the Lions on Dec. 29. The Texans dismissed defensive coordinator Richard Smith and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin last week. They also parted ways with defensive backs coach Jon Hoke.
Stay tuned for more coverage on HoustonTexans.com as the Texans interview more coaches to fill openings on their staff.
