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(UPI) -- Since the announcement Saturday that coach John Fox will undergo heart surgery, the Denver Broncos have tapped Jack Del Rio to serve as interim coach. The decision was announced Monday morning. Del Rio was the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach from 2003-2011 and has served as Broncos defensive coordinator since 2012.
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Fox is expected to undergo surgery this week.
"He will take a leave of absence from coaching for at least the next several weeks," the Broncos said in a statement.
"Our focus at this time is Coach Fox's health and well-being. We extend our thoughts and well-wishes to him for a full and speedy recovery.
"Coach Fox was advised by doctors months ago that his defective aortic valve would require this procedure following the 2013 season. As part of his trip to North Carolina over the bye week, he had a preoperative appointment on Thursday with his doctor, who informed him to seek medical attention immediately if he felt any discomfort."
Del Rio's promotion was not official until Monday, when John Elway, vice president of football operations for the Broncos, returned to his office after a bye weekend.
"He'll demand a lot out of us," safety David Bruton said.
On Sunday, the Broncos will play the San Diego Chargers in the beginning of a series of back-to-back games against undefeated teams. Del Rio will continue his duties as defensive coordinator as he takes on the head coaching role. It is not yet known when Fox will be able to return to coaching.
