Donald D'Alesio enters his first season as the defensive pass coordinator/secondary coach for the New York Giants. He previously worked under John Harbaugh in Baltimore as a defensive backs coach in 2025.
In his lone season with the Ravens, D'Alesio oversaw a defensive back group that included Kyle Hamilton, who was named a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro following his 2025 campaign. Hamilton was the only safety in the NFL to record 100+ tackles, 5+ tackles for loss, 5+ passes defensed and multiple forced fumbles.
Prior to joining Harbaugh's staff in Baltimore, D'Alesio spent four seasons (2021-24) with the Kansas City Chiefs. During his time there, the Chiefs won consecutive Super Bowls in 2022 and 2023, and three consecutive AFC Championships from 2022-24.
D'Alesio began working for the Chiefs as a defensive assistant in 2021 before coaching the safeties from 2022-24. In 2023, the Chiefs' defense allowed 17.3 points per game, the second fewest in the NFL, and 176.5 passing yards per game, the fourth fewest. Kansas City remained a top-five scoring defense in 2024, allowing the fourth-fewest points per game (19.2).
Before D'Alesio entered the NFL, he spent six seasons in the college ranks. In 2020, D'Alesio worked as a defensive analyst at LSU after spending the previous five years in a variety of roles for his alma mater, Youngstown State.
D'Alesio started as a defensive quality control coach for Youngstown State in 2015 before serving as the defensive line coach in 2016 and 2017. He added the title of co-defensive coordinator to his defensive line role in 2018, and, in 2019, he was the only defensive coordinator on staff, while still overseeing the defensive line.
In 2019, D'Alesio's lone season as the primary defensive coordinator for the Penguins, Youngstown State ranked top 15 nationally in passing yards allowed (168.4, eighth) and sacks (36, 15th).
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, D'Alesio and his wife, Emily, and have one daughter, Lainey. He was a three-year starter at defensive back for Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio. As a senior, D'Alesio helped lead the Cardinals to a perfect 15-0 record and a Division III State Championship.
He attended Youngstown State, where he earned his degree in business in 2014. From 2010-14, D'Alesio played 48 games (44 starts) over five seasons at the safety position. His career totals for the Penguins include: 274 tackles, 21 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
2026-Present: New York Giants - Defensive Pass Coordinator/Secondary Coach
2025: Baltimore Ravens - Defensive Backs
2022-24: Kansas City Chiefs - Safeties
2021: Kansas City Chiefs - Defensive Assistant
2020: LSU - Defensive Analyst
2019: Youngstown State - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2018: Youngstown State - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2016-17: Youngstown State - Defensive Line
2015: Youngstown State - Defensive Quality Control
