The Redskins have officially announced Jack Del Rio as their new defensive coordinator, the headline hire of new head coach Ron River's staff.
Rivera, 57, was hired this week to be the 29th head coach in Redskins franchise history and will be introduced in a press conference Thursday at 2 p.m. That press conference will air LIVE on 106.7 The Fan and can be streamed here.
Del Rio is bringing 32 combined seasons of NFL experience to his new role as Washington's defensive coordinator, which includes 21 years as a coach and an 11-year playing career. His previous experience in this role includes time with the Oakland Raiders (2015-17), Denver Broncos (2012-14), Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-11)
After nine seasons with the Panthers, Rivera was fired by Carolina on Dec. 3 after a 5-7 start to the 2019 season – and a 29-21 Week 13 loss to Washington – making him available, ironically, to be hired by the team who put the final nail in his career with the Panthers, where Rivera coached to a 76-63-1 (.546) overall record.
Del Rio served in dual roles – both head coach and defensive coordinator – for the Jaguars, amassing a 68-71 record (.489) over nine seasons. During that time, Jacksonville ranked sixth in the NFL in yards per game allowed (317.3) and eighth in points per game allowed (20.3). They made two playoff appearances under Del Rio's leadership (2005, 2007), with one playoff win, in 2007.
Del Rio served as head coach of the Raiders for three seasons (25-23) and, after a 6-10 season in 2017, was fired just one year into a four-year contract extension. Prior to that season, Del Rio led Oakland to a 12-4 record and the playoffs in 2016.
As a player, Del Rio, a linebacker, was a third-round pick (68th overall) by the New Orleans Saints out of USC in 1985. He played for four different teams – New Orleans, Kansas City, Dallas and Minnesota – over 11 seasons recording 1,005 career combined tackles, 13 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 14 fumbles recovered, and 13 interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl with Minnesota in 1994.
Rivera led the Panthers to the playoffs in four of his nine seasons and a Super Bowl berth in 2015.
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