For the third straight year, longtime NFL coach Rod Marinelli has been nominated for the Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award. The award is given out annually by the Pro Football Writers of America for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach.
Marinelli is heading into his 26th year as an NFL assistant coach and his second as the defensive line coach for the Raiders. Last season he stepped in as the interim Defensive Coordinator for the final three games after the firing of Paul Guenther.
Defensive coordinator is a familiar position for Marinelli. Prior to coming to Las Vegas, he had held that position for six years, pulling double duty as the defensive line coach.
Marinelli entered the league as a defensive line coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996 where he would eventually coach under Jon Gruden for three seasons. There he won a Super Bowl and went on to be the head coach of the Detroit Lions for three seasons (2006-08) — his only time a head coach. From there he went on to be the DL coach, DC, and Assistant Head Coach in Chicago for four seasons. He’s arguably the most respected current longtime assistant in the NFL.
Other finalists on the ballot are Bob McKittrick (49ers, Rams, Chargers), Floyd Peters (Giants, 49ers, Lions, Cardinals, Vikings, Buccaneers, Raiders), John Teerlinck (Browns, Rams, Vikings, Lions, Broncos, Colts), and Bobby Turner (Falcons, Washington, Broncos, 49ers).
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