Assistant to Carroll Going to NFL

USC defensive line coach Jethro Franklin has accepted an offer to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneer staff, according to a source close to the situation.

Franklin, 40, would replace Rod Marinelli, who coached the defensive line in Tampa Bay for 10 seasons before he was hired to become head coach of the Detroit Lions.

Franklin coached the defensive line for the Green Bay Packers from 2000 to 2004 before joining Pete Carroll’s USC staff after Ed Orgeron left to become head coach at Mississippi.

Franklin interviewed in December to become head coach at San Diego State, a job that went to former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long.

-- Gary Klein