The Paris Musketeers have made one of the biggest signings in the history of the European League of Football signing long time NFL head coach Jack Del Rio. The Musketeers are thrilled to announce the veteran NFL coach and player to the French capital as the Musketeers make a statement putting a promising team under elite new leadership.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Coach Del Rio to Paris. His commitment to excellence and his passion for teaching the game will build upon the tone and culture that was set by our first coach, Marc Mattioli. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Musketeers family and continue building our winning tradition.” - Paris Musketeers CEO John McKeon

A lifetime in the NFL

Del Rio comes to the French capital after 35 years of experience in the NFL as a player and coach. The now 61-year old was head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars for 8 seasons from 2003-2011 winning 68 career games and earning two playoff appearances and a playoff win in 2007. 

Del Rio was also head coach for the Oakland Raiders for three seasons (2015-2017) achieving a playoff berth in 2016 with a 12-4 record. He has an impressive 93 career wins as a NFL head coach. Now however, the NFL lifer is coming to Paris and the ELF with a new challenge to embrace.

“I’m looking forward to working with this group of men. We will teach, develop and compete."

Most recently Jack Del Rio was the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders for four seasons (2020-2023). He was also defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2002 before becoming head coach in Jacksonville. Overall, Del Rio spent 24 seasons coaching in the NFL initially making a name for himself as the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens where he coached future NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and won Super Bowl XXXV.

The defensive guru was once a standout player himself earning all-american honors as a defensive back for the USC Trojans. Del Rio went on to play a decade in the NFL playing for five teams and made the Pro Bowl in 1995. 

Paris Musketeers are building momentum

The Musketeers are coming off of the best season in their short history making the semi-finals after a 10-2 regular season. The French capital's flagship american football team hopes to take the next step with head coach Jack Del Rio as a talented squad returns for the teams third season.

Del Rio takes over for head coach Marc Mattioli who led the Musketeers through their first two seasons with a 16-8 record. Mattioli was recently announced as defensive coordinator for Kennesaw State (NCAA DI FBS),

The new ELF schedule means Paris will have several marquee match ups once again in 2025 facing off against the defending champion Rhein Fire in week 1 and hosting the Stuttgart Surge in week 2.

Read the 2025 ELF Schedule

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