Joe D’Alessandris, a longtime college and NFL offensive line coach in his eighth season with the Baltimore Ravens, died early Sunday morning, the team announced.
He was 70 years old.
D’Alessandris was hospitalized earlier this month for an acute illness and, according to the Ravens, experienced complications from surgery he underwent earlier this summer.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn of the passing of Coach Joe D’Alessandris early this morning,” the Ravens said in a statement.
“Joe D. lived a life filled with boundless faith, love, dedication and inspiration. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Joe truly made everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the world.”
During his 45-year coaching career, D’Alessandris played for the NFL’s Chargers, Bills and Chiefs.
A native of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, who played at Western Carolina University, he began coaching at Livingston College in 1977 and later went on to coach at Georgia Tech, Duke, Pittsburgh and Texas A&M.
He also coached in the CFL.
“Coach Joe D was a man of integrity and principle. He made us all better people. He served as a reader at our team Mass and was beloved by all here,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement.
“He was a great coach and a good person. The kind of person I was honored to have as a friend.”
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta called D’Alessandris a “solid presence” for the team.
“He cared deeply about his team and demonstrated an insatiable passion for excellence while displaying a genuine love for his players,” DeCosta said in a statement. “I especially cherish our conversations with him about football and life, and I’ll remember standing behind Joe on the practice field and watching him interact with his players up close. Coach was a great teacher and friend, and I will miss him so much.”
Mr. D’Alessandris is survived by three daughters, Anna, Emily and Kelly.
His wife, Toni, died in 2022 from a rare form of Parkinson’s disease.
