Commanders fire DC Jack Del Rio, DBs coach

(Photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer on Friday.

The moves followed a 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, a third straight setback that dropped the Commanders to 4-8.

"Today I relieved Jack Del Rio and Brent Vieselmeyer of their duties," Rivera said in a statement. "I appreciate all that they contributed to the organization over the past four seasons and wish them all the best moving forward."

Rivera is expected to call plays for the defense for the remainder of the season.

Del Rio, 60, was in his fourth season as the defensive coordinator in Washington.

He was a head coach in the NFL for 12 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-11) and the then-Oakland Raiders (2015-17), compiling an overall record of 93-94 with three playoff appearances.

Vieselmeyer, 48, joined Washington's staff in 2020. He was the assistant defensive backs coach for three seasons until being promoted to defensive backs coach for the 2023 season.

The Commanders rank last in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 29.2 points per game. The Cowboys gained 431 yards on Thanksgiving.