Jacksonville Jaguars Fire Coach Jack Del Rio
The Jacksonville Jaguars decided to fire coach Jack Del Rio.
According to ESPN, the Jaguars, who are 3 to 8 heading into a Monday night game against the San Diego Chargers, plan to announce the move at noon on Tuesday.
Del Rio leaves with a 69 to 73 record, including 1 to 2 in two playoff appearances. The Jaguars did not win the AFC South in any of his nine seasons.
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Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will coach Jacksonville on an interim basis.
Del Rio's job security had been tenuous, because owner Wayne Weaver said the coach needed to make the playoffs to secure a 10th season in Jacksonville, and the Jags were essentially eliminated with Sunday's 20 to 13 loss to Houston.
“This season provided far more drama than victories,” said Nate Davis of USA Today about the teams’ struggles. “An oft stout defense has been savaged by injuries. Finally, following the Jags' past two defeats, Del Rio seemed to lay blame at the feet of OC Dirk Koetter and his play selections.”
"We kind of buried ourselves this year and for him to take the fall for that, all of us probably feel bad for that," said Jaguars tight end Zach Miller to the Florida Times-Union. "I know me personally to see him go, it sucks. There's no other way to put it. I like Jack; he's been good to me. Great guy. And he's a good coach. It's an unfortunate situation for him."
In 2003, Del Rio was named head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has been the team’s head coach for nine years and is the second coach in the franchise history.
Del Rio played both football and baseball for the University of Southern California Trojans, and then spent eleven years playing linebacker in the National Football League.
