“Coach ‘Joe D.’ was a man of integrity and a man of faith. He made us all better,” Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said.
The Baltimore Ravens announced that their longtime offensive line coach, Joe D’Alessandris, passed away early Sunday at the age of 70. D’Alessandris, who had been with the team since 2017, was hospitalized earlier this month due to “an acute illness” that required extended treatment following complications from surgery earlier in the summer. In his absence, George Warhop was brought onto the Ravens’ coaching staff.
“Coach ‘Joe D.’ was a man of integrity and faith, who made us all better. He was beloved by everyone here, and he was our reader at team Mass,” said head coach John Harbaugh in a statement. “He was an exceptional coach and a good man, someone you were honored to call a friend.”
With 45 years of coaching experience, D’Alessandris was entering his eighth season with the Ravens. He began his NFL coaching career in 2008 and had previously coached for the Chiefs, Bills, and Chargers before joining Baltimore.
“‘Joe D.’ was a steadfast presence, a great coach, and an even better person. He was deeply committed to the team, showing relentless passion and genuine care for his players,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Eric DeCosta. “I cherished our conversations about football and life.” The Ravens, under D’Alessandris’s leadership, achieved remarkable milestones, including setting a franchise record with 26 rushing touchdowns in 2023, tying the all-time record for consecutive games with 100+ rushing yards at 43 in 2021, and establishing a new single-season rushing record with 3,296 yards in 2019.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens faced Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship last season, ultimately losing 17-10 at home. The Ravens will begin their season against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Sept. 5 in Kansas City.
D’Alessandris mentored several Pro Bowlers, including Tyler Linderbaum, Ronnie Stanley, and Orlando Brown Jr., according to the team.
“‘Joe D.’ was deeply respected throughout our organization and the broader NFL community,” said President Sashi Brown. “He was a passionate and devoted coach who left a lasting impact on many lives. Above all, he was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who always put his faith and family first.”
Earlier in his career, D’Alessandris coached in the NCAA, World League, and Canadian Football League. He hailed from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, attended Center High School, and was a standout guard and team captain at Western Carolina University, where he earned four letters. He was inducted into the Western Carolina University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Center High School Hall of Fame.
D’Alessandris is survived by his three daughters and five grandchildren, having been preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Toni.