Jack Del Rio hired as Denver Broncos defensive coordinator

Published: 27^th Jan 12 8:23 pm

by Kris Hughes
Network Manager

RANT It!

Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Jack Del Rio’s time in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars’ head coach was controversial. Some believed that he never truly had the talent available to compete at a high level in the AFC. Others believed that he was a defensive-minded coach at heart, who wasn’t truly cut out to be a head man in the NFL.

With the Jaguars’ continuing struggles this season, Del Rio was let go and entered the open coaching market. He’s a good enough coach– with enough knowledge and connections– that you had to figure he wouldn’t stay on the open market for long.

The Denver Broncos have given Del Rio his next coaching opportunity, hiring him as the team’s new defensive coordinator to replace former DC Dennis Allen who was just named the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted earlier that Del Rio had been hired to corroborate the SB Nation report:

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter

Denver hired Jack Del Rio as its defensive coordinator.

Del Rio could help a solid Broncos defense get over the top in 2012 and become one of the NFL’s elite defensive units. Led by veteran Champ Bailey and newcomer Von Miller, the Broncos showed a ton of promise on the defensive side of the ball, promise which could quickly turn into a high level of production given the right coaching staff.

Previously, as a defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers under current Broncos head coach John Fox, Del Rio had the opportunity to work with several first-class defensive players including Kevin Greene and Julius Peppers– helping the Panthers develop one of the more dominating defensive units in the NFL during the early 2000s.

As Fox and Del Rio re-establish their relationship in Denver, look for the Broncos to be one of the more exciting defensive units during the 2012-2013 season.