Jack Del Rio hired as defensive coordinator

January 2, 2020

by Steve Thomas

The Washington Redskins announced today that Jack Del Rio has been named as the Redskins’ new defensive coordinator.  Del Rio will work for new head coach Ron Rivera, who was hired by the team this week.

Del Rio has a total of 21 years of NFL coaching experience.  Prior to being named the Redskins defensive coordinator, Del Rio was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2015-17, the defensive coordinator and later interim head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2012-14, and the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-11.  He was also the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers in 2002.

In 2016, Del Rio guided the Raiders to a 12-4 record, which was the franchise’s first 12-win season since 2000, and its first postseason berth since 2002.   Under his leadership, two Raiders were named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team and DE Khalil Mack was named Defensive Player of the Year. Del Rio was selected as the recipient of the Maxwell Club’s Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award.

During his tenure with the Denver Broncos from 2012-14, Del Rio was part of three-straight AFC West titles and helped lead the Broncos to an AFC Championship and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII following the 2013 season. In 2012, Del Rio led his defense to a dramatic improvement over the prior year’s result, with the unit being ranked second in the NFL, allowing just 290.8 yards per game as compared to being ranked 20th in the league in 2011 under the prior coaching staff.

Prior to joining the Broncos, Del Rio spent nine seasons at the helm in Jacksonville. During his tenure with the Jaguars, the club ranked sixth in the NFL in yards per game allowed and eighth in points per game allowed. Under Del Rio, the Jaguars made two playoff appearances in 2005 and 2007.

As a player, Del Rio was a third round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1985 and spent 11 seasons in the NFL as a linebacker.  He was selected to participate in the 1994 Pro Bowl.

Del Rio and Rivera are expected to transition the Redskins back to the 4-3 defense, which was the Redskins’ base defense for the entirety of the franchise’s existence up until former head coach Mike Shanahan switched the team to the 3-4 in 2010.