Ex-NFL head coach and USC All-American linebacker Jack Del Rio stepped down Monday from his role on Wisconsin’s coaching staff after he was arrested near campus for operating a vehicle while intoxicated last week.

Del Rio, the former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders, had joined Wisconsin’s staff in August as a senior adviser to head coach Luke Fickell.

“I’m grateful to Coach Fickell and the University of Wisconsin for the opportunity to work with such a talented coaching and support staff and some of the best young football players in the country,” Del Rio said in a statement. “I have decided to step away from my position with the team, so they can focus all their attention on the remainder of the season.”

Madison police said Del Rio was arrested early Friday for a first-offense OWI after a vehicle hit a stop sign and broke a fence before resting in a yard. Police said Del Rio was walking away from the area and showed signs of impairment when they arrived at 12:35 a.m.

“He’s going to move forward and he’s going to resign and move on,” Fickell said. “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.”

The 61-year-old Del Rio came to Wisconsin after spending the last four years as the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator. He was fired 12 games into the 2023 season.

Del Rio had a 93-94 record in a 12-year NFL head coaching career that included stints with the Jaguars (2003-11) and Raiders (2015-17). He played linebacker in the NFL from 1985-95 after a stellar career at USC (1981-84).

VOLS QB IAMALEAVA EXPECTED TO PLAY

Coach Josh Heupel said No. 6 Tennessee should have redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava available on Saturday night when the Vols visit 11th-ranked Georgia.

Iamaleava, who played at Warren High, left last week’s 33-14 win over Mississippi State late in the first half after taking a hard hit from safety Isaac Smith. Iamaleava was 8 of 13 for 174 yards with two touchdowns when he left with a 20-7 lead. Gaston Moore finished the game at quarterback.

Heupel said Iamaleava was with the Vols on Monday and had a “really good day.”

“Feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday, but you guys can monitor the report that comes out on Wednesday and track it through the week,” Heupel said of the Southeastern Conference’s injury report.

Iamaleava has thrown for 1,879 yardsd 11 touchdowns this season.

ALABAMA LOSES EDGE RUSHER robinson

Alabama’s defense suffered a major blow heading into the final games of the regular with edge rusher Que Robinson out for the rest of the season with a left arm injury.

Robinson was injured in the second half of No. 9 Alabama’s 42-13 victory over then-No. 14 LSU on Saturday night. Coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed that the fifth-year senior’s injury was season-ending on Monday, but didn’t elaborate on the nature of it.

“Just a special, special person in every way,” DeBoer said. “You hate to see a guy that pours so much into it go through what he’s going through.

“The one thing when I think about Que is not just what he is on the field, but pre-practice, he is mentoring, doing things for other guys. He just cares so much about the team.”

The win over LSU pushed the Crimson Tide more firmly into playoff and SEC contention. Alabama closes the season with games against Mercer, Oklahoma and Auburn.

Robinson’s four sacks are tied for the team lead.