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Sports • American Football

Jack Del Rio

Jack Louis Del Rio Jr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jack Louis Del Rio Jr. is an American football coach and former linebacker. He has served as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders, and as a defensive coordinator for several NFL teams. As of 2025, he is the head coach of the Paris Musketeers in European football competition.

Early life and playing career

Jack Del Rio was born in Castro Valley, California, and played college football at the University of Southern California. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1985 NFL Draft and went on to play 11 seasons as a linebacker in the NFL.

Coaching career

Del Rio began coaching with the Saints in 1997 and later held defensive coaching roles in the NFL. He became head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003 and the Oakland Raiders in 2015, and later served as a defensive coordinator for other NFL teams.

Paris Musketeers

By 2025, Del Rio was head coach of the Paris Musketeers in European football competition. His role marked a continuation of his long career in professional American football across both playing and coaching.

Recognition and career record

Del Rio was part of a Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens coaching staff as linebackers coach, and he was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Public sources also note his NFL head coaching record and long tenure in the sport.

Key facts

  • Played 11 seasons in the National Football League as a linebacker.
  • Was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
  • Served as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2011.
  • Served as head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2015 to 2017.
  • As of 2025, head coach of the Paris Musketeers in European football competition.
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Canadian context

Jack Del Rio has no major direct Canada-specific connection in the available sources, though his career is relevant to Canadian readers interested in NFL coaching and international American football.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jack Del Rio?
Jack Del Rio is an American football coach and former NFL linebacker who has been a head coach in Jacksonville and Oakland and later coached the Paris Musketeers.
What position did Jack Del Rio play?
He played linebacker during his NFL career.
Where did Jack Del Rio go to college?
He played college football at the University of Southern California.
Which NFL teams did Jack Del Rio play for?
He played for the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins.
Which teams has Jack Del Rio coached?
He has coached in the NFL with the Saints, Panthers, Ravens, Broncos, Jaguars, Raiders, and Commanders, among others, and later coached the Paris Musketeers.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Del_Rio
    Supports: Birth date, playing career, coaching roles, and current head coaching position.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/6659/jack-del-rio
    Supports: Birthplace, birth date, position, and college.
  3. New Orleans Saints — https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/jack-del-rio-new-orleans-saints-linebacker-1985-nfl-draft-history-third-round-paris-musketeers-coach
    Supports: 1985 draft selection, early coaching career, and Paris Musketeers role.
  4. European League of Football — https://europeanleague.football/news/it-s-time-for-me-to-get-my-guy-s-rolling-jack-del-rio-can-t-wait-to-start-in-paris-2902
    Supports: Paris coaching role and head coaching history.
  5. Wikipedia (German) — https://www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Del_Rio
    Supports: College, draft, playing career length, coaching start, and USC Hall of Fame induction.