Veteran offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who worked for four NFL teams during his nearly 50-year career, passed away on Sunday at the age of 70. The Baltimore Ravens, where D’Alessandris had been coaching since 2017, confirmed his death. He had been hospitalized earlier this month due to complications from surgery he underwent during the summer.
“Our hearts ache with grief and sadness upon learning of coach Joe D’Alessandris’ passing early this morning,” the team said in a statement.”‘Joe D.’ lived a life of boundless faith, love, devotion and inspiration. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Joe made every individual he encountered truly feel like they were the most important person in the world.”
D’Alessandris, born on April 29, 1954, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, had a diverse coaching career that included stints in the CFL, World League, and several colleges before he made his way to the NFL. He worked as an assistant coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and San Diego Chargers prior to joining the Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh.
A graduate of Western Carolina, D’Alessandris began his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 1977. Throughout his career, he coached at various colleges, including Livingston University, Memphis, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Samford, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Duke, and Georgia Tech.
“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 team Mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man — the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy.”
“Our hearts ache with grief and sadness upon learning of coach Joe D’Alessandris’ passing early this morning,” the team said in a statement.”‘Joe D.’ lived a life of boundless faith, love, devotion and inspiration. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Joe made every individual he encountered truly feel like they were the most important person in the world.”
D’Alessandris, born on April 29, 1954, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, had a diverse coaching career that included stints in the CFL, World League, and several colleges before he made his way to the NFL. He worked as an assistant coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and San Diego Chargers prior to joining the Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh.
A graduate of Western Carolina, D’Alessandris began his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 1977. Throughout his career, he coached at various colleges, including Livingston University, Memphis, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Samford, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Duke, and Georgia Tech.
“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 team Mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man — the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy.”