Longtime NFL coach Rod Marinelli has announced that he is retiring from the NFL at the age of 72 years old. The defensive-minded coach spent the previous season as the defensive line coach for the Las Vegas Raiders. While he spent time with several teams over his career he was recently the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. He was also the Head Coach for the Detroit Lions from 2006 to 2008. His time in the NFL was fairly successful and included winning Super Bowl XXXVII.
Former #Lions head coach and most recently #Raiders DL coach Rod Marinelli is planning to retire, sources say. He’s had interest in continuing to coach, but has packed up and headed to Texas. At 72, Marinelli has been one of the game’s most respected teachers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2022
The Las Vegas Raiders are in a transition period and have largely cleaned house in preparation for the upcoming season. Rod Marinelli helped keep the Raiders defensive line as a top unit despite a turbulent season rocked with scandal. The defensive line was a big part of why the Las Vegas Raiders were able to make the Playoffs this season.
Marinelli has influenced countless coaches and players that are still in the NFL. He will leave a legacy of tough defensive units and schemes that are able to restrict the opposing offense. The experienced coach is well respected as a good football mind and a teacher of the game. He will be missed in the NFL now that he has decided to retire from the sport. A truly great defensive football mind moves on to his next phase of life. We here at Def Pen Sports wish him the best in his retirement and life beyond football.
