Why is Jack Del Rio on Wisconsin's coaching staff?

Longtime NFL coach Jack Del Rio is getting back in the game ahead of the 2024 season after he was fired last November by the Washington Commanders. But for the first time in his coaching career, it will be in the college rankings.

Del Rio will join coach Luke Fickell’s staff at Wisconsin as a senior advisor to the head coach, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported. According to Rittenberg, Del Rio will work with both the offense and defense for the Badgers.

A former linebacker at USC, Del Rio was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-11 and the Oakland Raiders from 2015-17, compiling a 94-97 career record. He has also served as a defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and most recently the Commanders, with whom he had coached since 2020.

BREAKING: Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio is joining the Wisconsin #Badgers as a Senior Advisor to Luke Fickell, per multiple sources. #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/fWyB6oEASo

— ESPN Madison (@ESPNMadison) August 29, 2024

The Badgers, coming off a 7-6 first campaign under Fickell, will kick off the 2024 season on Friday night at home against Western Michigan.