Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris dies at age 70
Longtime NFL offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris has died at the age of 70, the Baltimore Ravens announced on Sunday. D’Alessandris had recently taken a leave of absence from the Ravens and was in the hospital due to an “acute illness.”
D’Alessandris was an assistant coach for over 50 years and led Baltimore’s offensive line since 2017. Known as “Joe D” to his players and colleagues, D’Alessandris also served as an NFL coach with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Chargers.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Joe’s family – especially his three incredible daughters – during this difficult time,” the Ravens said in a statement. “Now that they are reunited with his late and beloved wife Toni, we know they are smiling from above and blessing all who love them dearly.”
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) 25 August 2024
“Coach ‘Joe D’ was a man of integrity and a man of faith,” coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “He made all of us better. … He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person you are honored to have as a friend.”
D’Alessandris also coached at the college level, including at Western Carolina, Livingston, Memphis, Chattanooga, Samford, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Duke and Georgia Tech. He earned a reputation for his ability to develop young offensive players. He was a hard-nosed coach who believed in constantly drilling the fundamentals.
D’Alessandris was not afraid to challenge and criticize his offensive players, but he was a beloved figure on the Ravens team because of his work and great love for his players. He often referred to his offensive players as “my guys.”
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D’Alessandris’ wife Toni died in May 2022 from a rare form of Parkinson’s disease. On the one anniversary of his wife’s death, D’Alessandris’ daughter Kelly Olsen gave birth to a baby girl. D’Alessandris had three grown daughters and five grandchildren.
Following D’Alessandris’ departure, Baltimore hired experienced offensive line coach George Warhop on August 14.
(Photo: Robin Alam / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
