Cowboys hoping to retain defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli

Reports surfaced yesterday that Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli would be heading to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but not so fast says executive vice president Stephen Jones. 

Jones said on 105.3 The Fan he expects Marinelli to be back next season.

“We fully expect for him to come back,” Jones said. “It certainly would be disappointing if that didn’t happen, but we’re going to go to work and try to extend his contract or get him a new contract so he’ll be a Dallas Cowboy.”

All things considered, Marinelli did a decent job this season with limited resources. 

The Cowboys finished 19th in total defense with virtually no talent on that side of the ball. Many pegged Dallas to have one of the worst defenses ever, so it's not surprising they want Marinelli back.