Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin Badgers staff after OWI arrest
ARLINGTON,TX - NOVEMBER 23: Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio reacts to Dallas' 2nd quarter touchdown to make the score 14-3 at that time during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at the AT&T St
MADISON, Wis. - Former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio stepped down Monday, Nov. 11 from his role on Wisconsin’s coaching staff after he was arrested near campus for operating a vehicle while intoxicated last week.
Del Rio, the former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders, had joined Wisconsin’s staff in August as a senior adviser to head coach Luke Fickell.
"I'm grateful to Coach Fickell and the University of Wisconsin for the opportunity to work with such a talented coaching and support staff and some of the best young football players in the country," Del Rio said in a statement. "I have decided to step away from my position with the team, so they can focus all their attention on the remainder of the season."
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Madison police said Del Rio was arrested early Friday for a first-offense OWI after a vehicle hit a stop sign and broke a fence before resting in a yard. Police said Del Rio was walking away from the area and showed signs of impairment when they arrived at 12:35 a.m.
"He’s going to move forward, and he’s going to resign and move on," Fickell said. "It’s a tough situation. Decisions that all of us have to be able to take full responsibility for. So that’s what Jack will do, and we’ll continue to move forward."
The 61-year-old Del Rio came to Wisconsin after spending the last four years as the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator. He was fired 12 games into the 2023 season.
Del Rio had a 93-94 record in a 12-year NFL head coaching career that included stints with the Jaguars (2003-11) and Raiders (2015-17). He played linebacker in the NFL from 1985-95 after a stellar college career at Southern California.
Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) has lost its last two games heading into Saturday's home matchup with No. 1 Oregon (10-0, 7-0, No. 1 CFP).