Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio gets new coaching job at Wisconsin

On the way to a successful second year under coach Luke Fickell, Wisconsin is reportedly turning to a familiar name from the NFL.

The Badgers are hiring former NFL coach Jack Del Rio as a senior adviser to Fickell, Bruce Feldman reported Thursday afternoon in a report by The athlete.

Del Rio, 61, most recently served as defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders from 2020 to 2023. His tenure was marked by inconsistency on the field – the Commanders had one of the league's top five defenses in 2022 and the worst in 2023 – and controversy off the field.

For the USC graduate, who was voted All-American linebacker for the Trojans in 1984, this is his first job as a college coach.

As a professional, Del Rio made the Pro Bowl with the Minnesota Vikings in 1994. He worked as a head coach for 12 seasons and led the Jacksonville Jaguars (2005 and 2007) and the Oakland Raiders (2016) to the postseason.

Wisconsin is scheduled to open its season on Friday against Western Michigan.