Joe D’Alessandris, offensive line coach of the Baltimore Ravens, has died, the NFL team announced on Sunday.
D’Alessandris died at the age of 70. On August 14, the Ravens announced that D’Alessandris had been hospitalized “due to an acute illness that requires ongoing treatment over a long period of time.”
Although D’Alessandris spent the previous 16 seasons as an offensive line coach in the NFL, the roots of his 47-year coaching career stretch back to Alabama.
After beginning his coaching career with two seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, Western Carolina, D’Alessandris became offensive line coach at West Alabama, then known as Livingston, in 1979. After four seasons in that position, he took on the role of offensive coordinator in addition to his duties with the Tigers.
D’Alessandris left West Alabama in 1984 to become offensive line coach at Memphis.
In 1991, he returned to Alabama as offensive line coach of the Birmingham Fire, a position he held during the team’s two seasons in the World League of American Football.
When the World League ceased play after the 1992 season, D’Alessandris became offensive line coach and assistant head coach to Chan Gailey at Samford in 1993. D’Alessandris left the Bulldogs to become offensive line coach at Texas A&M in 1994.
D’Alessandris was the Ravens’ offensive line coach for the previous seven seasons.
“Coach Joe D was a man of integrity and a man of faith,” Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said in a team statement. “He made us all better. He was our reader at the team mess and he was loved by everyone here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person you have to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters and was a most 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.”
When D’Alessandris was hospitalized, the Ravens hired George Warhop to work with their offensive line. Warhop was not coaching in 2023, but had spent the previous 27 seasons as an offensive line coach in the NFL. He was also offensive coordinator for the London Monarchs while D’Alessandris was the Fire’s offensive line coach in the World League.
Baltimore opens its season on September 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first game of the 2024 NFL season.
“Today is a sad day for the Baltimore Ravens,” general manager Eric DeCosta said in a team statement. “Joe D was a rock, a great coach and an even better person. He cared deeply about the team, demonstrated a relentless passion to excel while showing genuine love for his players. I especially cherish my conversations with him when we talked about football and life. I will always remember standing on the practice field with Joe and watching him up close with his players. The coach was the perfect teacher and friend and I will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s daughters and family and all who were touched by Joe’s remarkable spirit.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
