Jack Del Rio leaves Wisconsin staff after arrest on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated

MADISON, Wis. – Former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio resigned from his position on Monday Wisconsin’s coaching staff after he was arrested near campus last week for driving under the influence.

Del Rio, the former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders, had joined the Wisconsin staff in August as a senior advisor to head coach Luke Fickell.

“I am 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 resign from my position with the team so that they can focus all their attention on the rest of the season.”

Madison police said Del Rio was arrested early Friday for a first-offense OWI after a vehicle struck a stop sign and broke a fence before resting in a yard. Police said Del Rio walked away from the area and showed signs of impairment when they arrived at 12:35 p.m.

“He’s moving forward and he’s going to resign and move on,” Fickell said. “It’s a difficult situation. Decisions that we all have to take full responsibility for. So that’s what Jack will do, and that’s what we will do.” I will keep moving forward.”

The 61-year-old Del Rio came to Wisconsin after spending the past four years as the defensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders. He was fired 12 games in 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 game against No. 1 Oregon (10-0, 7-0, No. 1 CFP).

___

Receive poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season long. Sign up here. AP college football: And