ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Jack Del Rio considered sitting out the 2012 season, relaxing while still drawing a paycheck from the Jacksonville Jaguars, who fired him as head coach in November.

Instead, Del Rio jumped right back into the NFL fray, replacing Dennis Allen as Denver's defensive coordinator.

Del Rio's hiring reunites Broncos coach John Fox with his first defensive coordinator from Carolina.

Del Rio said Monday he's energized after spending the last couple of months away from football. He went 69-73 in eight and a-half seasons with the Jaguars, including 1-2 in the playoffs.

The Jaguars owed Del Rio $5 million and will pay him the difference between that total and his new salary in Denver.

Allen left after one year in Denver to serve as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.