ALLEN PARK, Mich. (Jan. 18, 2006) -- Rod Marinelli was nearing an agreement with the Detroit Lions to become their new head coach, a team source told The Associated Press.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team had not made an announcement, said Marinelli was to leave the team's practice facility on Wednesday night, but stayed to negotiate his contract.
Marinelli spent the past 10 seasons in Tampa Bay as defensive line coach. His unit helped establish an NFL record with 69 straight games with at least one sack from 1999-03. He had the title of assistant head coach added in 2002.
He has not been a head coach at any level, but attracted interest from at least one other team with an opening this offseason. The Oakland Raiders interviewed Marinelli, then he traveled to suburban Detroit for a second interview with Lions president Matt Millen.
