Dick Jauron, former NFL player and head coach for the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, has passed away. The Bills announced on Saturday that he died after a short battle with cancer. Jauron was 74.
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We’re saddened to learn about the passing of former Head Coach Dick Jauron. ❤️💙
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) February 8, 2025
We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time: https://t.co/EkWBaJJ9yE pic.twitter.com/JIg6Y1qTDA
In the early 1970s, Jauron stood out as a talented two-sport athlete at Yale, excelling in both football and baseball. His impressive performance led to him being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the NFL and by the St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB amateur draft, according to the Associated Press.
However, football became his lifelong passion. He started his NFL career with five seasons as a defensive back for Detroit, followed by three more with Cincinnati. He concluded his playing career in 1980.
RIP Dick Jauron
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) February 8, 2025
Here he is picking off Bradshaw in ‘79, one of six interceptions he made that year. pic.twitter.com/lsePhaNL1G
Dick Jauron Shifts His Focus to Coaching
Jauron transitioned into coaching and, five years later, joined the Bills as their defensive backs coach. He later continued his career in Green Bay, coaching their defensive backs.
In 1995, Jauron was appointed defensive coordinator for the newly established Jacksonville Jaguars by head coach Tom Coughlin. His success in that role paved the way for his head coaching opportunity with the Chicago Bears. During his five-season tenure in Chicago, Jauron achieved just one winning season, leading the Bears to an NFC North title in 2001. However, their playoff run ended in the divisional round with a loss to Andy Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles.
Jauron was dismissed in 2003 and later took on the role of defensive coordinator with Detroit, where he served as interim head coach for five games in 2005. He went on to spend the next four seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, though he was unable to achieve a winning record during his tenure.
Throughout 10 seasons as a head coach, he compiled a 60-82 record and secured just one playoff appearance.
Journalist Dan Pompei paid tribute to Dick Jauron as news of his passing spread Saturday morning.
“Dick Jauron was a kind, unassuming, pleasant family man who spent years caring for his ill wife in the sunset of his life,” Pompei wrote on X. “He had many interests and loved to talk about books. Players — and almost everyone else — really liked him. He coached well, and lived well. May he rest in peace.”