3. A homecoming for the Southern Cal native
A native of East Bay and Hayward High School, just 11-ish miles down the road from the Raiders’ stadium, the Raiders hire of Del Rio is a homecoming of sorts. Del Rio was born in Castro Valley, Calif. and went on to become a three-sport star at Hayward High before playing football at Southern California.
Del Rio was a candidate for the USC head coaching job back in 2010 following Pete Carroll’s departure and before the team opted to hire Kiffen. Del Rio was linked to the job because of his strong ties to the program and the area, and obviously a desire to return to California.
Finally, he’s coming home.
