The Associated Press

The Jacksonville Jaguars made Jack Del Rio the second coach in team history Thursday, team spokesman Dan Edwards said.

The 39-year-old Del Rio is considered one of the brightest young minds in the league. He'll be the second-youngest coach in the NFL, behind Jon Gruden.

Del Rio was a surprise candidate but one Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver couldn't resist after a four-hour interview with him at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

"When you look a guy in the eye and the chemistry's there, you know you've got your guy," Weaver told WJXT-TV in Jacksonville.

In Del Rio's single season as defensive coordinator for the Panthers, he helped them improve from 31st in the league to second in defense.

His signature moment, however, came on opening day.

Pumped up when an interception by Dan Morgan sealed a 10-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Del Rio did more than jump up and down on the sideline, as most coaches would. He ran onto the field and jumped into the pileup with Morgan, defensive end Julius Peppers and the rest of the celebrating Panthers.

It's that kind of fire Weaver sought when he released Tom Coughlin on Dec.30 and went searching for a new coach.

So excited is Weaver about showing off his new coach, he decided to make Del Rio's introductory news conference a public event. He'll hold it at the stadium in Jacksonville at 6p.m. today.

BROWNS: Former Cleveland Browns running back Errict Rhett is suing the team doctor and the Cleveland Clinic for what he believes was a misdiagnosis of the foot injury that ended his career.

Rhett signed a three-year, $6 million contract with the Browns in 2000 but broke his foot in a game against Baltimore. He underwent surgery and attempted to return in 2001.

John Bergfeld, a team doctor affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic, did not perform the surgery but cleared Rhett to play in July 2001. Two days later, Rhett was cut by the team. He has not played since.

Rhett's suit charges that Bergfeld cleared him to play so the team could cut him. Rhett said other doctors who examined his foot concluded he should not have been cleared to return.

The lawsuit seeks at least $25,000 in damages.

Browns spokesman Todd Stewart said the team does not comment on medical issues. Bergfeld did not return a message seeking comment.

COWBOYS: Bill Parcells added two more assistants to his staff Thursday, hiring John McNulty to coach wide receivers and Kacy Rodgers to handle defensive tackles.

ETC: The Goodyear Blimp won't be allowed near the upcoming Super Bowl.

No blimps, banner-tow planes or other aircraft will be allowed within 7 miles of Qualcomm Stadium for most of Super Bowl Sunday on Jan.26, officials said Thursday.

The NFL barred teams from trading draft picks for the right to sign a coach, the type of swap that allowed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to get Gruden.

The new policy was announced in a memo to all 32 teams by commissioner Paul Tagliabue, league spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday.

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