Commanders fire DC Jack Del Rio, DBs coach
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."
Josh Harris, the team's managing partner, said he spoke with Rivera on Friday morning and recommended the coaching changes.
"I feel exactly how our fans feel today: disappointed and frustrated," Harris said in a statement. "It's how our players and staff feel as well. I knew our first season of ownership would include challenges along the way, and we will not shy away from hard work, nor will we be deterred by adversity.
"As Coach Rivera and I discussed, all of our energy for the remainder of the season will be focused on playing better, more consistent football and developing our players while intently evaluating the areas in which we need to improve this offseason.
"Our fans deserve a team that can compete with the NFL's best and win sustainably over the long-term. I will not waver from that mission. Thank you to our fans for the ways in which you've breathed new life into our franchise. We have not been good enough this season, but our resolve for the future is unbroken."
The Commanders are 1-3 since dealing away starting defensive ends Chase Young (San Francisco 49ers) and Montez Sweat (Chicago Bears) at the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
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.
Washington is 26-35-1 since Rivera was hired by former owner Dan Snyder ahead of the 2020 season. The team has not made the playoffs since doing so in Rivera's first season with a 7-9 record.
