New Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman will have the opportunity to fill out his own staff. Trestman confirmed that Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will not return to Chicago in 2013 -- despite helping architect one of the top defenses in football in 2012.
After being fired following three seasons as the Detroit Lions' head coach, Marinelli joined Lovie Smith's staff in 2009. Marinelli served as the defensive line coach and assistant head coach in 2009, before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2010. Since then, Marinelli has served as Chicago's defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, helping create one of the top defenses in the NFL.
According to Brad Briggs, new Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is hopeful Marinelli will join his staff in Dallas. Kiffin was hired by Jerry Jones to replace Rob Ryan, who served as Dallas' defensive coordinator for two seasons. The Cowboys will switch from a 3-4 scheme to a Tampa 2 defense under Kiffin.
Marinelli spent nine years serving under Kiffin in Tampa Bay earlier in his career.