ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. on Tuesday in a staff shake-up during a disappointing season.

Coach Jack Del Rio called the move a difficult decision and said that assistant head coach for defense John Pagano will take over as coordinator leading into this week's home game against the Denver Broncos.

“I have the utmost respect for Ken as a person and as a coach, but I feel that moving John Pagano into the play-calling role will best utilize his wealth of experience,” Del Rio said in a statement. “I appreciate Ken's passion and commitment to the Raiders since coming aboard and wish him the best going forward.”

This marks the second coordinator change the Raiders have made since finishing last season 12-4. Del Rio fired offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave last offseason and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Todd Downing and now has let go of Norton.