Wisconsin’s Jack Del Rio resigns before Oregon Ducks game after drunk driving arrest

Wisconsin Badgers forward Jack Del Rio will step down from his position as senior adviser to Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell after he was arrested on drunken driving charges following a crash in Madison, Wisconsin.

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks travel to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Badgers in a Big Ten matchup this Saturday at Camp Randall.

“It’s a difficult situation, decisions for which we all have to take full responsibility,” Fickell said Monday. “So that’s what Jack will do and we’ll keep moving forward.”

“He’s going to move on and resign and move on,” Fickell continued.

According to a police report, Del Rio, 61, was arrested Friday after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a street sign, broke through a fence and ended up in a yard.

Del Rio, a longtime NFL coach most recently with the Washington Commanders, also spent time as an ESPN analyst. He played both baseball and football at USC. Del Rio started four years in football and two years as a catcher alongside teammates Mark McGwire and Randy Johnson.

Del Rio was selected in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.

Fickell hired Del Rio to gain his perspective as the Badgers rebuild their roster.

“I am 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 soccer players in the country,” Del Rio said in a statement Monday. “I have decided to step down from my position with the team so that they can concentrate fully on the rest of the season.”

The news from Del Rio adds to a bad few weeks for Wisconsin.

The Badgers are coming off a bye week but have struggled in their last two games. Wisconsin was outscored 70-23 in its games against Penn State and Iowa, which included some ugly offensive performances. The Badgers gave up 42 points to Iowa alone.

On the other hand, the Ducks are developing positive momentum as one of the four remaining undefeated teams in the FBS. Oregon is off to a 10-0 start to a season for the third time in program history, joining the 2012 and 2010 teams. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel leads an offense that has scored more than 30 points in nine straight games and 23 points in the last 24 contests.

Oregon vs. Wisconsin begins at 4:30 p.m. PT and the game will be broadcast on NBC.