Cowboys Rumors: Monte Kiffin Will Not Return In 2015

The rumors have been going around for some time now, but by now, it's as good as official: Monte Kiffin will not return to the Dallas Cowboys in 2015.

The veteran coordinator turns 75 later this month, and served as an assistant head coach in 2014 after being demoted from defensive coordinator last January. The Cowboys were reluctant to fire Kiffin outright, and let the 48-year coaching veteran see out his contract in a lesser role.

Rod Marinelli had been promoted to DC in Kiffin's place, and Marinelli's status will not change in light of Kiffin's departure. Kiffin, who Jerry Jones hired to install the 4-3 defense in January 2013, found himself marginalized after the transition failed to produce the desired results.

Kiffin's coaching career spans nearly five decades, and includes stops with the Cowboys, Buccaneers, Saints, Vikings, Jets, Bills, and Packers. Kiffin has also coached at a number of colleges, and left the NFL in 2009 to become his son Lane's defensive coordinator when he was hired as head coach of the University of Tennessee. The elder Kiffin then followed his son to USC as an assistant head coach before being hired by the Cowboys.

There's no final word on whether Kiffin will decide to retire or pursue another job elsewhere, but he's reportedly told friends he'd like to stay in the game in some capacity.

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