Dallas Cowboys demote Monte Kiffin in shuffle

The Dallas Cowboys demoted defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, giving his title to Rod Marinelli, and hired Scott Linehan as the passing game coordinator who will call plays.

The Cowboys announced Tuesday a change in Kiffin’s title to assistant head coach/defense. Dallas gave up the most yards in franchise history and finished last in the NFL in total defense.

Kiffin and Marinelli, the defensive line coach, came to Dallas together last year after the Cowboys decided to switch to a four-man front with three linebackers following nearly a decade in the 3-4 defense.

Linehan, the former St. Louis coach who was Detroit’s offensive coordinator the last five seasons, takes play-calling duties from Bill Callahan. The Cowboys had their worst offensive output since 2005.

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Ron Rivera is staying at Carolina after leading the Panthers to their first playoff appearance since 2008.

The Panthers rewarded “Riverboat Ron” with a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2017 season after Carolina finished 12-4 this season and won the NFC South championship.

Carolina lost at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs.

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Former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will get a chance to convince the Cleveland Browns he should call their plays.

Shanahan, fired following a rocky fourth season with Washington, will interview Wednesday to be Cleveland’s offensive coordinator. He’s to meet with Coach Mike Pettine, who has been assembling his staff since his hiring last week.

The 34-year-old Shanahan and father Mike Shanahan, the Redskins’ former head coach, were let go by Washington on Dec. 30 after finishing 3-13. Shanahan has interviewed for at least two other coordinator positions this month but was passed over by Baltimore and Miami.