How Jack Del Rio Creates Credibility for ELF
Image via X @ELF_Official and Brad Mills-USA Today Sports
The ELF bagged one of the league’s most important hirings in its young history with head coach Jack Del Rio leading the Paris Musketeers.
Del Rio has decades of experience as a head coach and assistant coach in the pros that is much needed for the ELF. Rhein Fire head coach Jim Tomsula is the only other head coach in the ELF who has led an NFL team onto the field.
Looking back at his career, Del Rio is most known for his nine seasons as the head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 through 2011. The Jaguars were 68-71 under him and made the postseason twice with a 1-2 record.
From 2015 through 2017, Del Rio led the Oakland Raiders with a 25-23 record in that span that includes a 12-4 season in 2016. The Raiders made the postseason once without a win to show for it.
Since his time as head coach, Del Rio was the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders and a senior advisor for the Wisconsin Badgers. Now he brings his expertise to the ELF.
This is arguably the biggest hiring in ELF history simply because Del Rio has won on the biggest level of football. He won the Super Bowl as an assistant defensive coach on the Baltimore Ravens’ staff in 2001. Del Rio also spent over a decade being a head coach in the NFL which is something no other coach in the league can say.
A big aspect to his pedigree he brings is the ability to develop players. He’s coached the likes of Ray Lewis and made him one of the best linebackers in NFL history. The ELF needs more coaches like Del Rio who can instantly come in and help players improve and possibly move on to other leagues like the UFL and the NFL.
During the offseason, Del Rio’s biggest move he needs to make besides rebuilding the coaching staff is finding a starting quarterback. Last year’s starter and the ELFs’ all-time leading passer Zach Edwards is a free agent and could return to the team. Del Rio might look at other options but bringing Edwards makes the most sense.
Regardless of whatever move Del Rio makes to the staff or roster, there will be more eyes on the ELF as now the league has a renowned coach as the face it needs to attract more football fans.
