Jack Del Rio: Movies & Box Office

Jack Louis Del Rio Jr. was born on April 4, 1963, in Castro Valley, California, to Jack Del Rio Sr., a big bandleader of Mexican-Spanish descent, and an Italian-American mother, with famed singer Peggy Lee having briefly served as his stepmother. Growing up in Hayward, California, Del Rio developed into a remarkable three-sport athlete at Hayward High School, earning all-state honors in football, baseball, and basketball, including striking out 16 batters in a playoff baseball game. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he became a four-year starter for the Trojans football team and a two-year starter at catcher for the baseball team alongside future stars like Mark McGwire and Randy Johnson. As a senior in 1984, Del Rio earned consensus All-American honors, was named co-MVP of the Rose Bowl, and won the Pop Warner Trophy before being inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft, Del Rio enjoyed an eleven-year professional playing career as a linebacker with the Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins. He established himself as a defensive stalwart, recording 1,005 tackles, 13 sacks, and 13 interceptions, and earned Pro Bowl selection in 1994 while leading the Vikings in tackles for three consecutive seasons.

Following his retirement as a player in 1996, Del Rio seamlessly transitioned into coaching, beginning as an assistant strength coach with the Saints before serving as linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 1999 to 2001, where he contributed to their dominant Super Bowl XXXV championship defense. After a successful stint as Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator in 2002, he became head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2011, compiling a 68-71 record and two playoff appearances while becoming known for his "keep chopping wood" mantra, which unfortunately led to punter Chris Hanson injuring his foot while chopping wood in the locker room. Del Rio later served as Denver Broncos defensive coordinator (2012-2014) and interim head coach, then led the Oakland Raiders from 2015 to 2017, achieving a 12-4 record and playoff berth in 2016 while earning the Greasy Neale Award. He subsequently joined the Washington Football Team/Commanders as defensive coordinator from 2020 to 2023, though his tenure ended controversially following his comments about the January 6 Capitol attack and a Thanksgiving Day loss in 2023. After brief advisory roles with the Wisconsin Badgers in 2024, Del Rio was appointed head coach of the Paris Musketeers in the European League of Football in 2025. Throughout his extensive career, he has maintained a personal life with his wife Linda Del Rio and their four children, including son Luke, who played quarterback for the Florida Gators.