The Baltimore Ravens announced Sunday that offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris has died. He was 70.
D’Alessandris was hospitalized nearly two weeks ago with an acute illness that required ongoing treatment. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters at the time that D’Alessandris had undergone surgery earlier in the summer and that the illness developed due to complications from that procedure.
“He was our team reader and was loved by everyone here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person you would want as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters and was a very loving husband. His grandchildren adored him as well. I admired him, loved him and will miss him because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy. Toni has him back now. May God bless ‘Joe D.’ forever.”
Because it was expected that D’Alessandris would be in treatment for a considerable period of time, George Warhop was hired to take over D’Alessandris’ work on an interim basis.
Under D’Alessandris, the Ravens have been among the NFL’s leaders in rushing for several years, including last season’s league lead with 2,661 total yards. In 2019, Baltimore set the franchise record for single-season rushing yards with 3,296 yards. Five Ravens linemen — Marshal Yanda, Orlando Brown Jr., Ronnie Stanley, Kevin Zeitler and Tyler Linderbaum — have been named to the Pro Bowl with D’Alessandris as coach.
Some tributes to Joe D’Alessandris on social media from Ravens players:
“A great man who made a football team better and made people better.”
“What a guy.”
“Today we lost a great coach and an even better person.”
“I am eternally grateful to you, coach.” photo.twitter.com/4Y8LFNKDvX
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 25, 2024
A new offensive line was one of the Ravens’ concerns during the offseason and training camp after they lost guards Zeitler and John Simpson to free agents and traded tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets.
D’Alessandris has spent the past 16 seasons coaching in the NFL, starting as offensive line coach with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008. He also had stints with the Buffalo Bills and then-San Diego Chargers before joining Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore in 2017. D’Alessandris’ coaching career began as an assistant coach at Western Carolina in 1977.
