Buccaneers targeting Rod Marinelli as defensive coordinator

May 11, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Rod Marinelli, who is currently serving as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys, has been an NFL assistant since 1996. Marinelli got his start in the league with the Tampa Bay Buccaneesr and now it looks like he could be returning to Florida.

Despite initial reports that Leslie Frazier could join Lovie Smith on the Tampa Bay coaching staff, Pat Yasinskas of ESPN is reporting that Marinelli will be the Buccaneers defensive coordinator.

Yasinskas wrote:

Hearing that Rod Marinelli, not Leslie Frazier, will be Lovie Smith's DC.
— Pat Yasinskas (@PatYaz33) January 2, 2014

The real question now is whether or not Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will release Marinelli from his current contract in Dallas that keeps him under contract through the 2014 season.

If Jones agrees to let Marinelli walk, then the road is paved for Marinelli to join his longtime friend in Tampa Bay.

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