Marino Returns to the Dolphins

Dan Marino returned to the Miami Dolphins as senior vice president of football operations Monday, a surprising move that gives the team a popular if inexperienced boss.

Marino was a record-setting quarterback and the last to lead the Dolphins to a Super Bowl. But there had been no indication of his interest in the job while owner Wayne Huizenga and team President Eddie Jones interviewed seven candidates in 10 days.

One of those candidates, Rick Spielman, was promoted from vice president to general manager Monday.

Huizenga said getting Marino the Super Bowl ring he never won as a player was his “side agenda” in making the decision to woo the quarterback back to the franchise.

“My love for this organization, my love for football, I think that’s unquestioned,” Marino said. “There are some people in this organization that have won Super Bowl rings. Let me tell you, I’ve thought about that a lot. Maybe this is the way I can get that opportunity.”

Marino will report directly to Jones. Spielman and Coach Dave Wannstedt will report to Marino.

“It’s a team game on the field and a team game in the office as well,” Huizenga said. “We need two good teams to win. The name of the game for us is to win. Nothing else really matters.”

Marino, who has been working as an NFL TV analyst for CBS and HBO, will fill a job created when Wannstedt was stripped of control over personnel decisions.

The Dolphins went 10-6 and missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1988-89.

Marino said he enjoyed television work but never stopped being “a football guy.”

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Pittsburgh Steeler offensive line coach Russ Grimm and St. Louis Ram defensive coordinator Lovie Smith are two of the finalists for the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job.

Grimm visited Halas Hall on Monday. Smith, interviewed earlier by General Manager Jerry Angelo, was scheduled to visit the team complex today. Angelo fired Dick Jauron on Dec. 29.

The Bears also have interviewed Romeo Crennel, the Patriots’ defensive coordinator.

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Indianapolis Colt tight end Marcus Pollard will have more tests on his right ankle, which he sprained late in the first half during the playoff victory at Kansas City.

Dungy said injuries to Pollard and receiver Marvin Harrison, who was hit in the ribs, were the Colts’ most serious concerns as they prepare for Sunday’s AFC championship at New England.

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Washington Redskin wide receiver Laveranues Coles was added to the 2004 NFC Pro Bowl squad, replacing injured Randy Moss.

Minnesota’s Moss will sit out the game because of a heel injury.

Coles finished the season with 82 catches for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns.

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University of Miami offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski was hired as tight ends coach of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns also promoted tight ends coach Steve Hagen to quarterbacks coach.

Chudzinski also was the tight ends coach at Miami. Chudzinski served under Butch Davis as the Hurricanes’ tight ends coach from 1996 to 2000 and has worked with Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow Jr.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars fired special teams coaches Bill Bates and Paul McCord and receivers coach Larry Kirksey. Coach Jack Del Rio said he would name replacements later.

The Jaguars struggled on special teams throughout their 5-11 season. Rookie kicker Seth Marler converted only 60% (20 of 33) of his field-goal attempts, the worst percentage in the league.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers denied the New York Jets permission to talk to assistant head coach/defensive line coach Rod Marinelli about becoming their defensive coordinator.

Also, the Buccaneers did not renew the contracts of quarterbacks coach Stan Parrish and running backs coach Kirby Wilson.