Wisconsin adds longtime NFL coach to coaching staff entering 2024 season

Wisconsin has hired longtime NFL coach Jack Del Rio as a senior advisor to head coach Luke Fickell before the 2024 season, as first reported by The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

Del Rio has been spotted at the Badgers training camp over the last few weeks. This news ends speculation about whether he was hired to an official role with the program.

The longtime NFL coach was most recently the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator from 2020-23. His coaching experience spans back to 1997 and includes stints as a head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-11) and the then-Oakland Raiders (2015-17).

He has decades of experience in the sport and should bring a valuable perspective to Fickell’s staff.

This is Del Rio’s first job at the college level — though he has experience as a linebackers coach, defensive coordinator and head coach. This stint with the Badgers could serve as a valuable springboard into another NFL job for Del Rio after he was fired by the Commanders in November.

This news comes after Fickell first reportedly wanted to bring in former NFL Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel to help on the Badgers staff. Vrabel, Fickell’s college teammate, went on to take a consultant job with the Cleveland Browns earlier this offseason.

Del Rio still fits that mold as an experienced NFL coach with a valuable perspective that the Badgers currently lack on their staff.

Fickell, Del Rio and the Badgers begin their 2024 season on Friday night against Western Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. ET.

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