Jaguars Fire Longtime Coach Jack Del Rio; Announce Sale of Team

(NewsCore) - Fired Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio acknowledged Tuesday that he knew he was on a short leash this season.

Del Rio, who was let go Tuesday in the midst of his ninth season in Jacksonville, told WJXT-TV he had remained optimistic despite Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver telling him a playoff berth was essential to his future with the team.

"Anytime the owner makes a statement like, 'You better be in the playoffs, or else,' and then you end up starting the year the way we started, it was tough," Del Rio said.

"It's tough, but we never gave into that. Players have never given into that. I think when you look at the way the team is fighting and competing, I think we really should be proud of that."

Del Rio, 48, reportedly choked up when he mentioned his final meeting with the team, which at 3-8 finds itself out of contention in the AFC playoff race.

"I told them that they need to continue to do the right things," he said. "There's something worthwhile there."

Shortly after announcing Del Rio's exit, Weaver revealed his plans to sell the franchise to Pakistani-born businessman Shahid Khan.

The move surprised many, including Del Rio, who claimed he was unaware of Weaver's intentions to part with the NFL club.

"I'm a little surprised, really," said Del Rio. "Whenever I've asked Wayne directly, he's always said to me that he intends to keep the team here and be the owner."

Weaver said Tuesday the timing of Del Rio's firing and the announcement of the impending sale was not a coincidence, adding he was not "going to leave Jack twisting in the wind."

In a press conference, Weaver insisted the team would remain in Jacksonville, saying he wanted any prospective buyer to demonstrate a commitment to the city.

Weaver said there is no contractual agreement for Khan to keep the team in Jacksonville but said he trusted Khan to keep his promise.

Khan, who owns Illinois auto parts manufacturer Flex-N-Gate, tried unsuccessfully to buy the St. Louis Rams in 2010.

The financial terms of the Jacksonville deal were not announced. In its annual rankings of sports franchises, Forbes rated the Jaguars last in the NFL with an approximate value of $725 million. Weaver, 76, bought the expansion team for $208 million in 1993.

Del Rio was only the second head coach in the Jaguars' short history, leading the team since 2003 when he replaced Tom Coughlin. Del Rio finished with a 68-70 career mark in Jacksonville.

Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will finish the season as interim head coach.