Badgers Senior Advisor Jack Del Rio arrested for OWI, resigns
Wisconsin Senior Advisor Jack Del Rio has resigned from his position with the Badgers following an arrest for operating while intoxicated.
During the Wisconsin Badgers bye week, a member of the football program's coaching staff was arrested by the Madison Police Department for operating while intoxicated first offense after an incident early Friday morning.
That staff member was Wisconsin's Senior Advisor, Jack Del Rio, who ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported was arrested after a car he was driving struck a street sign, broke a fence, and wound up in a yard.
Madison police officers were dispatched to the area of South Segoe Road at Keating Terrace around 12:35 a.m.
According to the police department’s incident report, witnesses directed officers to Del Rio, who was seen walking away from the area. Del Rio admitted to driving and showed signs of impairment, leading law enforcement to take him to a nearby hospital for a blood draw. No injuries were disclosed, and Del Rio was released to a responsible party.
Wisconsin officials released a statement addressing that they have been made aware of Del Rio's arrest, noting, “We take matters like this very seriously, and we are continuing to gather information."
Head coach Luke Fickell brought in Del Rio this offseason to be an additional resource, citing their longstanding relationship and the value of bringing in a fresh, objective perspective to the team as key reasons for the hire.
"For me to have somebody in here that's got a different eye and a uniqueness to be able to communicate with me but also to give us some other perspectives... I think it can be a really good thing," Fickell said.
Del Rio, 61, brought with him to the Badgers a long history of coaching experience in professional football, including head coaching stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders. However, following his arrest for OWI, Del Rio also brought some unwanted off-field baggage, which led to his resignation.
“He’s going to move forward, and he’s going to resign and move on,” Fickell told reporters. “But it’s a tough situation, decisions that all of us have to be able to take full responsibility for.
"So that’s what Jack will do, and we’ll continue to move forward.”
Coach Fickell and the Wisconsin football team (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) will look to regroup and put their best foot forward coming out of the bye week against Dan Lanning and the No. 1 Oregon Ducks at Camp Randall on Saturday night.
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I am grateful nobody was injured, but sad for Jack. I wish this had not been a factor in his decision and UW's request for his resignation. Hopefully, he will seek assistance for future sobriety and success.