National Football League

Broncos hire Del Rio to coach defense

Published Jan. 27, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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John Fox and Jack Del Rio are together again.

The Denver Broncos announced Friday night they had agreed to terms with Del Rio to become the club's new defensive coordinator.

Del Rio was Fox's first defensive coordinator in Carolina in 2002 before leaving after one year to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars, who fired him in November.

Del Rio replaces Dennis Allen, who left after one year in Denver to coach the Oakland Raiders.

Del Rio is the Broncos' seventh defensive coordinator in seven seasons. Other men who have filled the Mile High musical chair in the last six seasons are Larry Coyer (2006), Jim Bates (2007), Bob Slowik (2008), Mike Nolan (2009) and Don Martindale (2010). Allen was the only one who left for a head coaching job.

''We are thrilled to be able to add such a well-respected defensive coach to our staff,'' Fox said in a statement issued through the team's Twitter account.

''He was an integral part of our turnaround on defense during my first year with the Panthers in 2002,'' Fox added. ''His defenses with the Jaguars have ranked among the NFL's best, and we are excited he's a Bronco.''

The Broncos also hired Luke Richesson as their head strength and conditioning coach. Richesson spent the last three seasons with the Jaguars.

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