View source for Jack Del Rio

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1963)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name           = Jack Del Rio
| image          = NFL2021 - Washington Football Team at. Buffalo Bills 144 (51530173913).jpg
| alt            = Color photograph of white man wearing a blue suit.
| caption        = Del Rio in 2021
| currentteam    = Paris Musketeers
| position       = Head coach
| career_position = Linebacker
| career_number  = 50, 55
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1963|4|4}}
| birth_place    = [[Castro Valley, California]], U.S.
| height_ft      = 6
| height_in      = 4
| weight_lb      = 246
| high_school    = [[Hayward High School (California)|Hayward]] ([[Hayward, California]])
| college        = [[USC Trojans football|USC]] (1981–1984)
| draftyear      = 1985
| draftround     = 3
| draftpick      = 68
| pastteams      =
* [[New Orleans Saints]] ({{NFL Year|1985|1986}})
* [[Kansas City Chiefs]] ({{NFL Year|1987|1988}})
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1989|1991}})
* [[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|1992|1995}})
* [[Miami Dolphins]] ({{NFL Year|1996}})*
| pastcoaching   =
* [[New Orleans Saints]] ({{NFL Year|1997}})<br />Assistant strength coach
* New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|1998}})<br />Linebackers coach
* [[Baltimore Ravens]] ({{NFL Year|1999|2001}})<br />Linebackers coach
* [[Carolina Panthers]] ({{NFL Year|2002}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] ({{NFL Year|2003|2011}})<br />Head coach
* [[Denver Broncos]] ({{NFL Year|2012|2014}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Oakland Raiders]] ({{NFL Year|2015|2017}})<br />Head coach
* [[Washington Football Team / Commanders]] ({{NFL Year|2020|2023}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Wisconsin Badgers football|Wisconsin]] (2024)<br />Senior advisor to the head coach
* [[Paris Musketeers]] (2025–present)<br />Head coach
| highlights     = 
{{center|'''Playing'''}}
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1995 Pro Bowl|1994]])
* [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA All-Rookie Team#1985|1985]])
* [[Pop Warner Trophy]] (1984)
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1984 College Football All-America Team|1984]])
* Third-team All-American ([[1983 College Football All-America Team|1983]])
* 2× First-team [[Pacific-10 Conference|All-Pac-10]] ([[1982 All-Pacific-10 Conference football team|1982]], [[1983 All-Pacific-10 Conference football team|1983]])
* Second-team [[Pacific-10 Conference|All-Pac-10]] ([[1984 All-Pacific-10 Conference football team|1984]])
* [[USC Trojans football|USC]] Athletic Hall of Fame (2015)
{{center|'''Coaching'''}}
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXV|XXXV]])
* [[NFL Coach of the Year Award#Greasy Neale Award (Maxwell Football Club)|Greasy Neale Award]] (2016)
| statlabel1     = [[Tackle (football move)|Tackles]]
| statvalue1     = 1,005
| statlabel2     = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue2     = 13
| statlabel3     = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue3     = 13
| statlabel4     = Forced [[fumble]]s
| statvalue4     = 12
| statlabel5     = [[Touchdown]]s
| statvalue5     = 3
| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|93|94|record=y}}
| playoff_record = {{Winning percentage|1|3|record=y}}
| overall_record = {{Winning percentage|94|97|record=y}}
| pfr            = DelxJa00
| pfrcoach       = DelRJa0 
}}

'''Jack Louis Del Rio Jr.''' (born April 4, 1963) is an American professional [[American football|football]] coach and former [[linebacker]] who is the head coach of the [[Paris Musketeers]] of the [[European League of Football]] (ELF). He played [[college football]] for the [[USC Trojans football|USC Trojans]] from 1981 to 1984 and was selected by the [[New Orleans Saints]] in the third round of the [[1985 NFL draft]]. Del Rio also played for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], [[Dallas Cowboys]], [[Minnesota Vikings]], and [[Miami Dolphins]] before retiring in 1996.

Del Rio began his coaching career as an assistant with the Saints in 1997. He then joined the [[Baltimore Ravens]] as a linebacker coach in 1999, where he was a part of their [[Super Bowl XXXV]] winning team that beat the [[New York Giants]]. Following a single-season stint as [[Carolina Panthers]] defensive coordinator, Del Rio became head coach of the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] in 2003. He compiled a 68–71 record and two playoff appearances with them before being dismissed following the 2011 season.

Del Rio served as [[Denver Broncos]] defensive coordinator for the next three seasons before becoming head coach of the [[Oakland Raiders]] in 2015. He compiled a 25–23 record with the Raiders before being fired after the 2017 season. He spent the next two years working as an NFL analyst for [[ESPN]] and as the [[defensive coordinator]] of the [[Washington Commanders]] from 2020 until being dismissed midway through the 2023 season.

==Early life==
Jack Louis Del Rio Jr. was born in [[Castro Valley, California]], to big bandleader Jack Del Rio Sr., who was of [[Mexican-Spanish Americans|Mexican-Spanish]] descent, and an [[Italian-American]] mother. Famed singer [[Peggy Lee]] was briefly Del Rio's stepmother after having married Jack Sr.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Paige|first1=Woody|title=Paige: D-coordinator Jack Del Rio "made right choice" with Broncos|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/08/23/paige-d-coordinator-jack-del-rio-made-right-choice-with-broncos/|website=Denver Post|access-date=January 18, 2018|date=August 24, 2014}}</ref> Del Rio attended [[Hayward High School (California)|Hayward High School]] in [[Hayward, California]], where he developed into a notable three-sport athlete, earning all-state honors in football, [[baseball]], and [[basketball]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Tafur |first=Vic |date=January 24, 2015 |title=Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio still hero in Hayward |url=https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Raiders-head-coach-Jack-Del-Rio-still-hero-in-6031253.php |access-date=February 19, 2018 |website=SFGate.com}}</ref>

In football, Del Rio helped his team win a North Coast Section 2A Championship. In baseball, although he was the starting [[catcher]], in one game Del Rio was used as a pitcher and struck out 16 in a playoff game against Mission San Jose-Fremont. Del Rio and future [[Seattle Mariners]] manager [[Don Wakamatsu]] were teammates in baseball and football.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/larrystone/2008408734_stone19.html | work=The Seattle Times | title=Perseverance helps get Don Wakamatsu his first job as M's manager with Alvin Davis' approval | date=November 19, 2008 |access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref>

==College career==
Del Rio was selected out of high school by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] in the 22nd round (550th overall) of the [[1981 MLB Draft]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=delrio000jac|title=Jack Del Rio Career Stats Leagues Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com| access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> but opted instead to accept a scholarship from the [[University of Southern California]] to play both football and baseball.<ref name="FastFacts">{{cite web |title=Fast Facts About Head Coach Del Rio |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/fast-facts-about-head-coach-del-rio-14787328 |website=Raiders.com |access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> In baseball, Del Rio was as a two-year starter at [[catcher]] on a team that also included future [[Major League Baseball]] players [[Mark McGwire]] and [[Randy Johnson]],<ref name="FastFacts"/> as well as future baseball executive [[Damon Oppenheimer]].

Del Rio was a four-year starter in football. As a junior, he made the third-team [[1983 College Football All-America Team|1983]] [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] team. As a senior, Del Rio earned consensus [[1984 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors, was a runner-up for the [[Lombardi Award]] given to the nation's best lineman or linebacker and was named along with [[quarterback]] Tim Green [[Most Valuable Player|co-MVP]] of the [[1985 Rose Bowl|Rose Bowl]]. Del Rio finished his college career with 340 tackles, including 58 tackles for loss. He was named to the second-team [[Pacific-10 Conference|All-Pac-10]] in [[1984 All-Pacific-10 Conference football team|1984]], the first time in his college career where he did not make first-team.

In 2015, Del Rio was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.<ref name="USC">{{cite web| url=https://www.nfl.com/news/pete-carroll-jack-del-rio-selected-to-usc-athletic-hall-of-fame-0ap2000000363705 | title=Pete Carroll, Jack Del Rio selected to USC Athletic Hall of Fame | website=[[NFL.com]] | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> 

==Professional career==
===New Orleans Saints===
Del Rio was selected by the [[New Orleans Saints]] in the third round (68th overall) of the [[1985 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/draft.htm |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-01-sp-11691-story.html | title=It's a Long Wait for USC's Jack Louis Del Rio; Jack Isn't Picked Until Third Round | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=May 1985 | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> He was also selected by the [[Los Angeles Express (USFL)|Los Angeles Express]] in the [[1985 USFL Territorial Draft]]. As a rookie, Del Rio started nine games at [[inside linebacker|right inside linebacker]], tied a franchise record with five fumble recoveries (including one returned for a 22-yard [[touchdown]]) and earned NFL All-rookie honors. He also collected 68 tackles, five passes defensed and three forced fumbles. In [[1986 New Orleans Saints season|1986]], Del Rio lost his starting position to [[Alvin Toles]] after the season opener and recorded only 20 tackles during the season.

===Kansas City Chiefs===
In August 1987, Del Rio was traded to the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] in exchange for a fifth round draft choice,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19870818&id=IX9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lgYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2822,1304954&hl=es | title=Del Rio Deal Boosts Chiefs Defense | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> reuniting him with former Saints defensive coordinator John Paul Young. He started nine  games at [[outside linebacker|right outside linebacker]], tallying 45 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

That season, the [[1987 NFL season#The NFLPA Strike|NFL players went on strike]] in September, after week two. Throughout this period of time, Del Rio and teammates picketed outside of [[Arrowhead Stadium]] and were vigilantly watching for replacement players attempting to enter the facility. He mistakenly mistook former Chiefs wide receiver [[Otis Taylor (American football)|Otis Taylor]] for a replacement player and assaulted him. At the time, the 45-year-old Taylor was a scout for the Chiefs organization and had been retired for twelve years. Taylor later pressed charges and the two eventually settled out of court.<ref>{{cite web| title=30 years ago this week, Kansas City Chiefs players were center stage for NFL drama| url=https://fox4kc.com/2017/09/27/30-years-ago-this-week-kansas-city-chiefs-players-were-center-stage-for-nfl-drama/| access-date=February 19, 2018| website=fox4kc.com| date=September 28, 2017| archive-date=February 19, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219012114/http://fox4kc.com/2017/09/27/30-years-ago-this-week-kansas-city-chiefs-players-were-center-stage-for-nfl-drama/| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Del Rio started ten games at left [[outside linebacker]] in [[1988 Kansas City Chiefs season|1988]], registering 77 tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed. He was released on August 29, 1989.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1906&dat=19890830&id=aMohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Np4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3661,5624721&hl=es | title=Chiefs pick up 'Little Train' | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref>

Del Rio earned an undergraduate degree in [[political science]] from the [[University of Kansas]] while he was a player for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]].<ref>Garfield, David. "NFL success, KU degree among Del Rio's rewards," ''KU Alumni'' magazine, Issue 5, 2007, page 55.</ref>

===Dallas Cowboys===
On August 30, 1989, Del Rio was claimed off waivers by the [[Dallas Cowboys]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19890901&id=82UvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lDUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5027,78692&hl=es | title=Transactions | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> He was named the starter at [[strongside linebacker]] in the fifth game against the [[1989 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], where he suffered a bruised calf that forced him to miss the next two games. Del Rio started twelve contests at [[strongside linebacker]], while sharing the position with [[David Howard (linebacker)|David Howard]] in the final eight games, playing in the first and third quarters, finishing the season with 58 tackles, two fumble recoveries (including one returned for a 57-yard [[touchdown]]) and one pass defensed.

The next year, Del Rio started all sixteen games at [[strongside linebacker]], making 104 tackles (third on the team), 1.5 sacks, four quarterback pressures and two passes defensed. In [[1991 Dallas Cowboys season|1991]], Del Rio replaced [[Eugene Lockhart]] as the starter at [[middle linebacker]], while leading the team with 130 total tackles, 53 assists and 77 solo tackles.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://newsok.com/article/2386985/del-rios-departure-leaves-dallas-d-thin-in-middle?| title=Del Rio's Departure Leaves Dallas "D" Thin in Middle | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref>

In the 1990s, the Cowboys organization felt they could avoid paying a premium and adversely impacting the salary cap by drafting linebackers, so they allowed players like Del Rio, [[Ken Norton Jr.]], [[Darrin Smith]], [[Dixon Edwards]], [[Robert Jones (linebacker)|Robert Jones]], and [[Randall Godfrey]] to leave via free agency.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Cowboys-sign-LB-Nguyen-to-six-year-deal-8745663.php | title=Cowboys sign LB Nguyen to six-year deal | newspaper=Plainview Herald | date=April 16, 2002 | access-date=February 19, 2018 | archive-date=July 10, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041639/https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Cowboys-sign-LB-Nguyen-to-six-year-deal-8745663.php | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Minnesota Vikings===
[[File:Jack.del rio.jpg|thumb|Del Rio with the [[Minnesota Vikings]] (c. mid-1990s)]]
On March 4, 1992, Del Rio signed with the [[Minnesota Vikings]] as a free agent. He led the team in tackles for three consecutive years and was selected to the [[1995 Pro Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19921105&id=_kdSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eTYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1136,4993169&hl=es | title=Cowboys' Williams Honored | access-date=February 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/01/20/Del-Rio-named-to-Pro-Bowl-squad/1777790578000/ | title=Del Rio named to Pro Bowl squad | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref>

In 1995, Del Rio suffered a knee injury in a game against the [[Chicago Bears]] and only played one more game that season, which would prove to be the last of his career.

===Miami Dolphins===
On June 2, 1996, Del Rio signed a one-year contract with the [[Miami Dolphins]], reuniting him with former Cowboys head coach [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/03/Dolphins-sign-Del-Rio-re-sign-Kosar/9756833774400/ | title=Dolphins sign Del Rio, re-sign Kosar | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> On August 4, he was released after being passed on the depth chart by rookie [[Zach Thomas]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-08-06/sports/25646350_1_jack-del-rio-dolphins-coach-jimmy-johnson-miami-dolphins | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929093859/http://articles.philly.com/1996-08-06/sports/25646350_1_jack-del-rio-dolphins-coach-jimmy-johnson-miami-dolphins | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 29, 2015 | title=Cut By Dolphins, Del Rio Retiring | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> Del Rio finished his career with 160 game appearances (128 starts), 1,005 tackles, 13 sacks, and 13 interceptions.<ref name="pfr"/>{{efn|Some sources say he recorded 1,078 tackles and 12 sacks<ref>{{cite web | url=https://newsok.com/article/2979805/jack-del-rio-zach-thomas-forever-linked? | title=Jack Del Rio, Zach Thomas Forever Linked | publisher=The Oklahoman | agency=[[Associated Press]] | date=December 3, 2006 | access-date=February 19, 2018 | url-status=bot: unknown | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907222420/http://newsok.com/article/2979805 | archive-date=September 7, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/PressArchive/2009/Awards%2Band%2BScholarships/20091120%2BSilver%2BAward%2BRls.html | title=NCAA Names Six Former Student-Athletes as Recipients of the 2010 Silver Anniversary Award | publisher=fs.ncaa.org | date=November 20, 2009 | access-date=February 19, 2018 | url-status=bot: unknown | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907222627/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/PressArchive/2009/Awards%2Band%2BScholarships/20091120%2BSilver%2BAward%2BRls.html | archive-date=September 7, 2017 }}</ref>}}

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="4"| Tackles
! colspan="4"| Interceptions
! colspan="3"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! TD !! FF !! FR !! TD
|-
! [[1985 NFL season|1985]] !! [[1985 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 16 || 9 || 68 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 2 || 13 || 0 || 3 || 5 || 1
|-
! [[1986 NFL season|1986]] !! [[1986 New Orleans Saints season|NO]]
| 16 || 1 || 20 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1987 NFL season|1987]] !! [[1987 Kansas City Chiefs season|KC]]
| 10 || 7 || 44 || 0 || 0 || 3.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|- 
! [[1988 NFL season|1988]] !! [[1988 Kansas City Chiefs season|KC]]
| 15 || 10 || 77 || 0 || 0 || 1.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[1989 NFL season|1989]] !! [[1989 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 14 || 12 || 58 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1
|-
! [[1990 NFL season|1990]] !! [[1990 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 104 || 0 || 0 || 1.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1991 NFL season|1991]] !! [[1991 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 130 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[1992 NFL season|1992]] !! [[1992 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]
| 16 || 16 || 153 || 0 || 0 || 2.0 || 0 || 2 || 92 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] !! [[1993 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]
| 16 || 16 || 169 || 0 || 0 || 0.5 || 0 || 4 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] !! [[1994 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]
| 16 || 16 || 129 || 86 || 43 || 2.0 || 0 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 0 
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] !! [[1995 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]
| 9 || 9 || 53 || 32 || 21 || 3.0 || 0 || 1 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| Total<ref name="pfr">{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DelxJa00.htm | title=Jack Del Rio | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=pro-football-reference.com | access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> !! 160 !! 128 !! 1,005 !! 118 !! 64 !! 13.0 !! 0 !! 13 !! 128 !! 1 !! 12 !! 14 !! 2
|}

==Coaching career==

Del Rio was hired by [[1997 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] head coach [[Mike Ditka]] as the team's strength and conditioning coach in 1997, moving to linebacker coach the next year. In 1999, he took the same job with the [[1999 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]. Del Rio is, in part, credited for the success of the Ravens' Super Bowl-winning defense, particularly in the 2000 season. After the 2001 season, he was named [[defensive coordinator]] of the [[Carolina Panthers]] and in his first season, in 2002, Del Rio led them to the second ranked defense in the league by total yards.

===Jacksonville Jaguars===
[[File:Jack del Rio 2008.jpg|thumb|Del Rio as head coach of the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]], 2008]]
In 2003, Del Rio became the second head coach of the [[2003 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars]] following [[Tom Coughlin]]'s dismissal. In his first season, Del Rio led the team to a 5–11 record. That year, Jacksonville finished the season with the second-ranked rush defense and sixth best overall defense, having ranked 25th and 20th in those two categories, respectively, the year prior. In 2004, the Jaguars narrowly missed the playoffs with a 9–7 record, the first winning record in five seasons. The following season, the team made the playoffs for the first time since advancing all the way to the AFC title game in 1999. They qualified as a wild card, but the season was ended with a 28–3 loss to the [[New England Patriots]].

The mantra "keep chopping wood", introduced by Del Rio during the season, was intended to indicate how the team would slowly whittle away the huge obstacles in front of them. Del Rio placed a wooden stump and axe in the Jaguars' locker room as a symbol of his rallying cry. After his teammates had been taking swings at the wood with the axe, punter [[Chris Hanson (American football)|Chris Hanson]] followed suit and seriously wounded his non-kicking foot. Hanson missed the remainder of the 2003 season, being replaced by [[Mark Royals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire?id=1634484|title=Locker room prop costs Jaguars their punter|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref>

After missing the playoffs in 2006, Jacksonville cut quarterback [[Byron Leftwich]] in favor of [[David Garrard]]. The team returned to the playoffs in 2007 winning their first playoff game since 1999.<ref name=NBC>{{cite web |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/29/del-rio-out-in-jacksonville/|title= Del Rio out in Jacksonville|author= Mike Florio |date=November 29, 2011|work= profootballtalk.nbcsports.com|publisher= NBC Sports|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref> On April 3, 2008, Del Rio's contract with the Jaguars was extended through the 2012 season.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Jack Del Rio bet on himself and won with new contract extension |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/jack-del-rio-bet-himself-and-won-new-contract-extension |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref>

On January 11, 2010, Del Rio was offered the head coaching job at USC, his alma mater. The next day he denied receiving an offer from USC, stating that the offer was "manufactured".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nfl/news/story?id=4818442 |title=Del Rio: Report of offer 'manufactured' |publisher=ESPN |date=January 12, 2010 |access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref> Later that afternoon, he rebuffed USC officially, announcing that he would remain with the Jaguars at least through the duration of his current contract.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Del Rio: Report of offer 'manufactured' |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4818442 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref>

On November 29, 2011, Del Rio was fired as Jacksonville's head coach. He left with a regular season record of 68–71 and a 1–2 record in two playoff appearances over his nine years. From his years with the Jaguars, Del Rio holds the NFL record for the longest tenure of any head coach to have never won a division title.<ref name=NBC/>

===Denver Broncos===
On January 27, 2012, Del Rio was hired as the new defensive coordinator of the [[2012 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]. In Week 2, Del Rio was fined $25,000 for berating the replacement officials.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jones, Lindsay |title=Jack Del Rio hired as defensive coordinator for Denver Broncos |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/01/27/jack-del-rio-hired-as-defensive-coordinator-for-denver-broncos/ |publisher=The Denver Post |date=January 27, 2012 |access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref> On November 4, 2013, Del Rio was handed the head coaching duties and named interim head coach for several games when head coach [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]] was sidelined for medical reasons.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sessler, Marc |title=Jack Del Rio tabbed Denver Broncos' interim coach|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jack-del-rio-tabbed-denver-broncos-interim-coach-0ap2000000276475 |work=NFL.com |date=November 4, 2013 |access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref>

===Oakland Raiders===
On January 14, 2015, Del Rio was hired to become the new head coach of the [[2015 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]], replacing the fired [[Dennis Allen (American football)|Dennis Allen]] (who coincidentally had preceded him as the Broncos defensive coordinator) and interim head coach [[Tony Sparano]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Bair, Scott |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/raiders-get-their-man-hire-jack-del-rio-new-head-coach |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118203416/http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/raiders-get-their-man-hire-jack-del-rio-new-head-coach |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 18, 2015 |title=Raiders get their man, agree to terms with Jack Del Rio |publisher=Comcast SportsNet Bay Area |date=January 14, 2015 }}</ref>

In 2016, Del Rio led the Raiders to a 12–4 record, with the team making the playoffs for the first time since [[2002 Oakland Raiders season|2002]]. They lost to the [[2016 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] in the Wild Card round.

On February 10, 2017, Del Rio signed a four-year contract extension.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/10/raiders-jack-del-rio-signs-four-year-contract-extension|title=Jack Del Rio signs four-year contract extension|first=SI|last=Wire|date=February 10, 2017 }}</ref> He was fired after the Raiders' 30–10 loss to the [[2017 Los Angeles Chargers season|Los Angeles Chargers]] in the 2017 regular season finale, ending with a 6–10 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000901236/article/raiders-fire-jack-del-rio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135310/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000901236/article/raiders-fire-jack-del-rio|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 1, 2018|title=Oakland Raiders fire head coach Jack Del Rio|publisher=NFL|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref>

In 2019, Del Rio was under consideration to become the defensive coordinator of the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], but talks ultimately ended after new head coach [[Zac Taylor]] decided that he was not a fit.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marcum |first1=Jason |title=Bengals passed on Jack Del Rio after he reportedly wanted job |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/2/14/18225354/bengals-jack-del-rio-nfl-news-rumors-zac-taylor |website=CincyJungle.com |date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

===Washington Football Team / Commanders===
[[File:Jack and Luke Del Rio.jpg|thumb|Del Rio and his son [[Luke Del Rio|Luke]] in 2020]]
On January 2, 2020, Del Rio was hired by the [[Washington Football Team]] to serve as their defensive coordinator under head coach [[Ron Rivera]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-name-jack-del-rio-as-defensive-coordinator|title=Redskins Name Jack Del Rio As Defensive Coordinator|date=January 2, 2020}}</ref> Del Rio changed their defensive scheme from a [[3-4]], which the team had used for the past decade, to a [[4-3]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carpenter |first1=Les |title=Jack Del Rio to become defensive coordinator, will switch to a 4-3 scheme |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/01/jack-del-rio-defensive-coordinator-redskins-ron-rivera/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref>

In June 2022, Del Rio made a controversial comment to reporters, calling the [[2021 United States Capitol attack|Capitol attack]] a "dust up" compared with the [[civil unrest]] that occurred during some of the 2020 [[George Floyd protests]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fortier |first=Sam |title=Commanders coordinator Jack Del Rio calls Jan. 6 insurrection a ‘dust-up’ |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/06/08/jack-del-rio-insurrections-comments/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=USAToday.com|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/commanders/2022/06/08/jack-del-rio-january-6-capitol-attack-washington-commanders/7554033001/|title=Washington Commanders DC Jack Del Rio apologizes for calling Jan. 6 Capitol attack a 'dust-up'|first=Lorenzo|last=Reyes|date=June 8, 2022|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref> In response to his comments, the Commanders fined Del Rio for $100,000 along with head coach [[Ron Rivera]] publicly stating Del Rio's views are not a reflection of the team.<ref>{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/commanders-fine-dc-jack-del-rio-100k-for-comments-on-capitol-riots|title=Commanders DC Jack Del Rio deletes Twitter account a day after being fined $100K for comments on Capitol riots|date=June 10, 2022|first=Kevin|last=Patra|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}</ref> Del Rio was fired in November 2023 following a 45–10 road loss to the [[Dallas Cowboys]] on [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving]], in which the team had allowed the most points in the NFL by that point in the season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Patra |first1=Kevin |title=Commanders fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio in wake of blowout loss to Cowboys |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/commanders-fire-defensive-coordinator-jack-del-rio |website=NFL.com |access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref>

===Wisconsin Badgers===
On August 29, 2024, Del Rio was hired by the [[Wisconsin Badgers football|Wisconsin Badgers]] as a senior adviser to head football coach [[Luke Fickell]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |author-link=Adam Rittenberg |date=August 29, 2024 |title=Jack Del Rio joins Wisconsin staff as Luke Fickell adviser |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/41043447/jack-del-rio-joins-wisconsin-staff-luke-fickell-adviser |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> He resigned on November 11 after being arrested days prior for hitting a street sign and breaking a fence in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], while operating a car impaired.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ragatz |first=Will |date=2024-11-11 |title=Jack Del Rio resigns from Wisconsin's staff after crash, OWI arrest |url=https://www.si.com/college/wisconsin/football/jack-del-rio-resigns-from-wisconsins-staff-after-crash-owi-arrest-01jcebgks3vt |access-date=2024-11-11 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Paris Musketeers===
On January 27, 2025, Del Rio was hired as the head coach and defensive coordinator for the [[Paris Musketeers]] of the [[European League of Football]] (ELF).<ref>{{cite web |title=Former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio to coach team in Paris |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43452928/former-nfl-head-coach-jack-del-rio-coach-team-paris |website=ESPN |date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=3 February 2025}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
===NFL===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
! Won !! Lost !! Ties !! Win% !! Finish !! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
! [[2003 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2003 NFL season|2003]]
| 5 || 11 || 0 || {{winpct|5|11|0}} || 3rd in AFC South || — || — || — || —
|-
! [[2004 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2004 NFL season|2004]]
| 9 || 7 || 0 || {{winpct|9|7|0}} || 2nd in AFC South || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#fdd;"
! [[2005 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2005 NFL season|2005]]
| 12 || 4 || 0 || {{winpct|12|4|0}} || '''2nd in AFC South''' || 0 || 1 || {{winpct|0|1}} || {{small|'''Lost to [[2005 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] in [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|AFC Wild Card Game]]'''}}
|-
! [[2006 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2006 NFL season|2006]]
| 8 || 8 || 0 || {{winpct|8|8|0}} || 3rd in AFC South || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#fdd;"
! [[2007 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2007 NFL season|2007]]
| 11 || 5 || 0 || {{winpct|11|5|0}} || '''2nd in AFC South''' || 1 || 1 || {{winpct|1|1}} || {{small|'''Lost to [[2007 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] in [[2007–08 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''}}
|-
! [[2008 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2008 NFL season|2008]]
| 5 || 11 || 0 || {{winpct|5|11|0}} || 4th in AFC South || — || — || — || —
|-
! [[2009 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2009 NFL season|2009]]
| 7 || 9 || 0 || {{winpct|7|9|0}} || 4th in AFC South || — || — || — || —
|-
! [[2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2010 NFL season|2010]]
| 8 || 8 || 0 || {{winpct|8|8|0}} || 2nd in AFC South || — || — || — || —
|-
! [[2011 Jacksonville Jaguars season|JAX]] !! [[2011 NFL season|2011]]
| 3 || 8 || 0 || {{winpct|3|8|0}} || Fired || — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"|JAX total !! 68 !! 71 !! 0 !! {{winpct|68|71|0}} !! !! 1 !! 2 !! {{winpct|1|2}} !! —
|-
! [[2015 Oakland Raiders season|OAK]] !! [[2015 NFL season|2015]]
| 7 || 9 || 0 || {{winpct|7|9|0}} || 3rd in AFC West || — || — || — || —
|- style="background:#fdd;"
! [[2016 Oakland Raiders season|OAK]] !! [[2016 NFL season|2016]]
| 12 || 4 || 0 || {{winpct|12|4|0}} || '''2nd in AFC West''' || 0 || 1 || {{winpct|0|1}} || {{small|'''Lost to [[2016 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] in [[2016–17 NFL playoffs|AFC Wild Card Game]]'''}}
|-
! [[2017 Oakland Raiders season|OAK]] !! [[2017 NFL season|2017]]
| 6 || 10 || 0 || {{winpct|6|10|0}} || 3rd in AFC West || — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"|OAK total !! 25 !! 23 !! 0 !! {{winpct|25|23|0}} !! !! 0 !! 1 !! {{winpct|0|1}} !! —
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/DelRJa0.htm Total] !! 93 !! 94 !! 0 !! {{winpct|93|94|0}} !! !! 1 !! 3 !! {{winpct|1|3}} !! —
|}

===ELF===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Result
|-! style="background:;"
|-
![[2025 Paris Musketeers season|PM]] || [[2025 European League of Football season|2025]]
|| 7 || 5 || 0 || {{winpct|7|5|0}} || 2nd in West Division || — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2" | Total || 7 || 5 || 0 || {{winpct|7|5|0}} || — || — || — || — || —
|}

==Awards and honors==
* Selected to [[USC Trojans football|USC]] Athletic Hall of Fame (2014)<ref name=USC/>
* [[NCAA]] Silver Anniversary award (2010)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2018/2/5/all-time-honors-award-winners.aspx | title=All-Time Honors Award Winners | access-date=June 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830174420/https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2018/2/5/all-time-honors-award-winners.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXV|XXXV]]) as coach
* [[All-Pro]] selection (1994)
* [[Pro Bowl]] selection ([[1995 Pro Bowl|1994]])
* NFL's All-Rookie Team (1985)
* Saints' Rookie of the Year (1985)
* CO-MVP of [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]] (1985)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laalmanac.com/sports/sp01ac.php|title=Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player Award (MVP)|access-date=January 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724224916/http://www.laalmanac.com/sports/sp01ac.htm|archive-date=July 24, 2008}}</ref>
* [[All-America]] honors as a senior (1984)
* [[Pop Warner Trophy]] (1984)

==Personal life==
After he was drafted to play for the New Orleans Saints, Del Rio married his wife Linda Del Rio.<ref name=NFLWifeLinda>Terrill, Rachel (November 5, 2015).[http://nfl-pe-stage.azurewebsites.net/wri/pearls-pigskin/articles/linda-del-rio/ NFL Wife Spotlight: Linda Del Rio]. NFL Player Engagement.</ref>
The couple have four children: Lauren, Hope, Aubrey Jean, and [[Luke Del Rio|Luke]],<ref name=NFLWifeLinda/>
who played quarterback for the [[Florida Gators football|Florida Gators]] in the mid-2010s and is an offensive analyst for the [[Washington Huskies]].<ref name="f263">{{cite web | title=Jack Del Rio's son chosen as Florida's starting quarterback | website=Marin Independent Journal | date=2016-08-19 | url=https://www.marinij.com/sports/20160819/jack-del-rios-son-chosen-as-floridas-starting-quarterback/ | access-date=2024-12-25}}</ref>

In 2019, Del Rio worked as an analyst for [[ESPN]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-Raiders, Jags coach Del Rio joins ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27393106/ex-raiders-jags-coach-del-rio-joins-espn |website=ESPN |date=August 15, 2019 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [https://www.parismusketeers.com/coach-details/jack-del-rio Paris Musketeers profile]
* {{Twitter}}

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{1984 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
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{{Super Bowl XXXV}}
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{{Paris Musketeers}}
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