:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22456375/gyi0061302162.0.jpg)
It's been a rough week of health-related news for coaches around the NFL. On Sunday night, Texans coach Gary Kubiak apparently collapsed at halftime and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Just a bit north, Broncos head coach John Fox recently underwent a procedure to fix a valve in his heart. Because of that surgery, Fox is taking a leave of absence from the team to recover.
Per multiple sources, Fox's replacement on the sidelines will be their defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio. It isn't Del Rio's first head coaching stint, as he was the captain of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-2011. In those eight-plus seasons, Del Rio amassed a 68-71 record and took the Jaguars to the playoffs three times. Jacksonville's finest year under Del Rio was in 2007 when they made it past the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs.
Apparently, Fox was playing golf earlier this week on the Broncos' bye week and became dizzy on the course. After multiple tests, it was determined that he needed the procedure. On the issue, Fox released this statement (per ESPN):
"I sincerely appreciate all of the support from friends, Denver Broncos fans and so many around the league today," Fox said in a statement released by the team Saturday night. "Although I am disappointed I must take some time away from the team to attend to this pre-existing health condition, I understand that it's the right thing to do. I have great confidence in our coaches and players, who are fully committed to our goals.
"I look forward to returning to coaching as soon as possible."
No timetable has been set on his return to the team and Denver has to hope that they will rally around Del Rio better than the Texans rallied around Wade Phillips after Kubiak's exit. Regardless, the most important factor here is the health of both Kubiak and Fox.