Monte

Kiffin

DL coach Rod Marinelli has been promoted to defensive coordinator. The move comes eight days after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insisted “nothing has changed” with his coordinators. Now, both have been demoted. Kiffin is one of the most respected defensive minds in the history of the modern game, but it was clear the league had passed him by last season. A wave of injuries made matters worse, but Kiffin’s unit simply didn’t compete, allowing 280 more yards than any other defense in football. It’s a sad end to Kiffin’s coordinating career, but doesn’t tarnish what he accomplished in Tampa Bay. It’s definitely the right move for the Cowboys.

In other words, he’s sticking with beleaguered DC Monte Kiffin. It’s hard to believe considering how truly terrible Kiffin’s defense was this season, but perhaps Jones buys into the hype that no one could have coordinated a unit so riddled by injury. Of course, dramas have a way of unfolding slowly in Big D, so we’d still write Kiffin’s return in pencil. With three weeks having passed since Dallas’ latest Week 17 loss, however, it appears the 73-year-old Kiffin will be back for 2014.

Jacksonville added John Benton as assistant offensive line coach and John Donovan as offensive quality control coach. Kiffin has been involved in the organization for the past several months and assisted coach Gus Bradley in the Jaguars’ search for a new defensive coordinator. The veteran coach should serve as something of a defensive consultant.

Kiffin was demoted from defensive coordinator after Dallas fielded one of the worst units in league history in 2013. As an assistant head coach, he “essentially served as an on-site consultant,” per reporter David Moore. Kiffin turns 75 later this month, but hopes to continue coaching. Perhaps he’ll head to the University of Alabama, where his son Lane coordinates the offense.