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Jack Del Rio, the senior adviser to Wisconsin football head coach Luke Fickell, was arrested early Friday morning for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) following a crash in Madison, Wisconsin. The incident occurred shortly after midnight and involved Del Rio’s vehicle hitting a street sign, breaking through a fence, and coming to a stop in a yard.
Crash details and arrest
According to a Madison Police incident report, officers were dispatched to the scene near the University of Wisconsin campus, west of Camp Randall Stadium, at approximately 12:35 a.m. Witnesses at the scene directed officers to Del Rio, who was seen walking away from the crash site. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Upon interacting with Del Rio, officers observed signs of impairment. The 61-year-old former National Football League (NFL) coach admitted to driving the vehicle and was subsequently arrested for a first-time OWI. He was later released following the arrest.
Wisconsin Athletics responds
In a statement, Wisconsin Athletics acknowledged the incident, noting that they take such matters "very seriously." The statement added, "We are continuing to gather information" regarding the situation.
Del Rio's background and role at Wisconsin
Del Rio, who has an extensive career in the NFL, joined Luke Fickell’s staff at the University of Wisconsin in August. Before his role as a senior adviser with the Badgers, Del Rio was a head coach in the NFL, leading the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders.
He has also served as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, as well as with the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.
Before transitioning to coaching, Del Rio played linebacker in the NFL for four teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings.
Impact on Wisconsin football
Del Rio’s arrest comes at a critical time for the Wisconsin football program. The Badgers are coming off a bye week and are preparing for a high-profile matchup at home against No. 1 ranked Oregon on Saturday.
As of now, it remains unclear how the arrest will affect Del Rio’s role with the team, as Wisconsin continues to assess the situation.
