Jon Gruden Reportedly Fires Veteran Raiders Assistant Coach
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on during warm ups prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is reportedly making a major staff change. According to NFL.com's Jim Trotter, Gruden has dismissed defensive line coach Brentson Buckner after only one season.
Gruden will reportedly hire veteran NFL assistant Rob Marinelli to replace Buckner. The 70-year-old Marinelli spent the last six seasons as the defensive line coach and defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.
As Trotter explains, Buckner is well-regarded, having been an NFL defensive line coach the last seven seasons after playing more than a decade in the league. The Raiders' defensive front also seemed to improve under his tutelage in 2019.
However, Gruden has great familiarity with Marinelli, who was his assistant head coach & defensive line coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002-05.
Last week, NFL.com reporter Jane Slater posted an update on Marinelli after it was clear the Cowboys were shaking up their staff following the hiring of new head coach Mike McCarthy. According to Slater, Marinelli was considering continuing to coach but had made no final decision.
The last time Gruden and Marinelli worked together, they helped deliver a Super Bowl title to Tampa in 2002. With the Raiders scheduled to be on the move to Las Vegas next season, there is pressure on Gruden to win more.
Oakland finished 7-9 under Gruden this fall after going 4-12 in 2018.
