He was picked in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints as a linebacker out of the University of Southern California. Before retiring in 1996, he had played for four additional NFL clubs. In 1997, Del Rio began his coaching career as an assistant with the Saints. He would go on to become the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and the San Diego Chargers in 2003. After one season with the Pirates, Del Rio returned to his original team, the Raiders, as their head coach from 2005-08. During that time, they made the playoffs each year and won two division titles. Del Rio coached at USC from 1991-95, serving as defensive coordinator for three seasons before being named head coach in 1997. In 10 years as a head coach or defensive coordinator, he never had a losing record. The Trojans finished no worse than fourth in the Pacific Coast Conference during that period. USC retired his number 55 after he died in 2009 at the age of 49. After graduating from USC in 1987, Del Rio went on to play for the New York Jets (1988), Miami Dolphins (1989-90) and New Orleans Saints (1991). He ended his NFL career with 176 tackles and nine sacks. In 1992, he started at outside linebacker for the US Olympic Football Team which finished second in the first ever FIFA World Cup.