Rod Marinelli

Rod Marinelli most recently served as the head coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. Following the Lions completing an unprecedented 0-16 season, Marinelli was fired as head coach on December 29, 2008.ESPN.com: Marinelli Fired After Historic 0-16 Season

On January 10, 2009, Marinelli reportedly accepted an offer from the Chicago Bears to become an assistant head and defensive coach.ChicagoTribune.com: Marinelli Accepts Bears Offer

During the press conference following the Lions 15th loss of the season, on December 21, 2008, Detroit journalist Rob Parker asked Marinelli if he wished his daughter had married a better defensive coordinator, referring to Marinelli's son-in-law and Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Parker later apologized for a failed attempt at humor, however Marinelli didn't accept the apology, saying that it crossed the line "big time."The Detroit News: Lions' Marinelli Responds Angrily to Columnist's 'Attack'

Starting his football coaching career at the high school level, Rob Marineli soon became a college coach at Utah State University. He made his NFL head coaching debut with the Detroit Lions in 2006, leading the team to a 3-13 record. In his second campaign, and with Jon Kitna as the starting quarterback, the Lions went 7-9. Marinelli and the Lions were not so lucky in 2008, starting the season with a 0-15 record and becoming the first team in NFL history to do so.

• Mahalo's Guide to Detroit Lions

• Pro-Football-Reference.com: Career Stats

• Head Coach Rookie year: 2006