Joe D'Alessandris, who coached offensive linemen for nearly half a century and eventually ended up with four different NFL teams, has died. He was 70 years old.
The Baltimore Ravens, D'Alessandris' employer since 2017, announced his death on Sunday. He was hospitalized earlier this month with an unspecified illness, prompting him to resign from his duties as the team's offensive line coach.
Coach John Harbaugh said at the time that D'Alessandris had undergone surgery in the summer and that complications had arisen.
“Our hearts ache with grief and sadness as we learned of the passing of Coach Joe D'Alessandris this morning,” the team said in a statement. “'Joe D.' lived a life of boundless faith, love, dedication and inspiration. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Joe made everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the world.”
D'Alessandris was born on April 29, 1954, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Before joining the NFL, he coached in the CFL and World League, as well as at several colleges. He was an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers before joining Harbaugh at the Ravens.
“Coach 'Joe D.' was a man of integrity and a man of faith. He made us all better,” Harbaugh said. “He was our reader at the team fair and was loved by everyone here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters and was a most loving husband. His grandchildren adored him too. I admired him, loved him and will miss him because 'Joe D.' was a joy.”
D'Alessandris played at Western Carolina and began his coaching career there as an assistant in graduate education in 1977. His other college coaching positions included Livingston University, Memphis, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Samford, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Duke and Georgia Tech.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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