Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio, who serves as a senior adviser to Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell, was arrested Friday on a first-offense operating while intoxicated charge, according to a Madison (Wis.) police incident report.
Del Rio, 61, admitted to driving the vehicle, which hit a street sign, broke a fence and stopped in a yard early Friday morning around 12:30 a.m. in Madison, per the incident report. Witnesses directed officers to Del Rio, who was walking away from the area and showed signs of impairment, according to the report.
There were no reported injuries. Del Rio was “released to a responsible party,” per the incident report.
Wisconsin said in a statement Monday: “We take matters like this very seriously and we are continuing to gather information.”
Del Rio joined the Badgers’ staff ahead of the 2024 season after being fired from his role as defensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders in November 2023. He had previously spent over a decade as an NFL head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders, compiling a 93-94 record. He also served in coaching jobs with the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints.
A former standout linebacker at USC, Del Rio played 11 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl in 1994.
(Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)