Denver Broncos bring in Jack Del Rio as new defensive coordinator – NFL News Update
The Denver Broncos have decided to bring in Jack Del Rio as their new defensive coordinator as a replacement for Dennis Allen who earlier left to take on his responsibilities as the new head coach for the Oakland Raiders.
Broncos’ head coach, John Fox, said of the new hiring:
"We are thrilled to be able to add such a well-respected defensive coach to our staff. He was an integral part of our turnaround on defence during my first year with the Panthers in 2002. His defences with the Jaguars have ranked among the NFL's best, and
we are excited he's a Bronco.” John Fox said.
Fox and Del Rio enjoy a close relationship as both worked together for the Carolina Panthers in 2002. Del Rio worked as a defensive coordinator to Fox during his stay with the Panthers.
Del Rio then left to join the Jacksonville Jaguars a year later and had been working with that team for nine seasons before being fired in November last year.
Allen was hired by the general manager of the Oakland Raiders, Reggie McKenzie, as their head coach for a four-year term. Under Allen, the Broncos remarkably improved to reach the playoffs this season.
The Broncos which had been the worst team in the National Football League (NFL), allowing 29.4 points per game, improved to the 24th place in NFL.
Allen’s success was also with regards to yards allowed per game as under Allen, the Broncos rose to the 20th place in terms of yards allowed from earlier conceding 390.8 yards per game to a current figure of 357.8 yards per game.
The Broncos therefore had much to lose with the departure of Allen.
It remains to be seen whether Del Rio will be able to lead the Broncos with the same enthusiasm as Allen did or is it just another hiring based on Fox’s likings.
With the Broncos, Del Rio will be training top rushers like Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. He will also need to address the team’s weakness in allowing points which no doubt has indeed improved but still they forfeited more than 40 points in the playoff
game.
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