The Wisconsin Badgers are making a high-profile addition to their coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season, as The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reported Thursday that former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio will join the staff as a senior advisor to Luke Fickell.
In his new role, Del Rio will assist both sides of the ball and be a helpful aide for Fickell.
There were hints of a potential move when the 61-year-old head coach was seen on several occasions at training camp for the Badgers back in Madison this fall.
Del Rio has an extensive coaching career, which includes stints as a head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-11 and the Oakland Raiders from 2015-17.
In addition, he has been the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers (2003), Denver Broncos (2012-14), and the Washington Commanders (2020-23).
This will be Del Rio’s first stint with a college team, and he’ll add to the bevy of marquee defensive-minded coaches at Wisconsin.
Head coach Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel both have strong defensive backgrounds, while outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell was formerly a head coach at Grand Valley State.
Del Rio will be entering his 28th year of coaching, which followed an 11-year playing career in the NFL as a linebacker.
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