Dick Jauron Dies at 74; Former Bears, Bills HC Won 2001 NFL Coach of the Year Award
February 8, 2025
Former Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron died at the age of 74, the Bills announced on Saturday.
Buffalo Bills @BuffaloBillsWe're saddened to learn about the passing of former Head Coach Dick Jauron. ❤️💙<br><br>We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time: <a href="https://t.co/EkWBaJJ9yE">https://t.co/EkWBaJJ9yE</a> <a href="https://t.co/JIg6Y1qTDA">pic.twitter.com/JIg6Y1qTDA</a>
Jauron served as the Bears' head coach from 1999 to 2003 and the Bills' head coach from 2006 to 2009. He won AP NFL Coach of the Year honors with the Bears in 2001 after leading Chicago to a 13-3 record and the NFC Central title.
Jauron was a star running back at Yale, rushing for 2,947 yards (3,169 yards from scrimmage overall) and scoring 28 total touchdowns. He was named an All-Ivy First-team selection in 1970, 1971 and 1972.
He played defensive back in the NFL for eight seasons with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals from 1973-1980 after Detroit selected him with a fourth-round draft pick.
Jauron finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 1973 after picking off four passes for 208 yards, including a 95-yard pick-six. He made the Pro Bowl in 1974.
All told, Jauron played in 100 games, starting 80, while picking off 25 passes and recovering 15 fumbles.
Jauron began his NFL coaching career in 1985 with the Bills as a defensive backs coach. He moved to the Green Bay Packers in the same role from 1986 to 1994 before joining the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars as their defensive coordinator from 1995 to 1998. Jauron parlayed that stint into a head coaching gig with the Bears.
Chicago enjoyed a fantastic season under Jauron in 2001, in which the team finished first in the NFL in scoring defense. The Bears' season ended in the NFC Divisional round to the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was a phenomenal year nonetheless.
Kyle Brandt @KyleBrandtThe 2001 Chicago Bears were incredible to watch. Young phenom Urlacher. Rookie of the Year Anthony Thomas from Michigan. Wily QB Jim Miller. Mike Brown making miracles ever week. David Terrell!! RW McQuarters!<br><br>13-3. Head Coach Dick Jauron ran the show. <br><br>Thank you, Coach <a href="https://t.co/hzeXuIUbGE">pic.twitter.com/hzeXuIUbGE</a>
Two sub-.500 seasons led to his ouster, but Jauron got another chance three years later with the Bills.
Unfortunately, Buffalo never got off the ground, going 7-9 in each of his first three seasons at the helm. The Bills and Jauron parted ways after a 3-6 start in 2009.
In fairness, success would have been hard to come by for any coach in Buffalo during that time.
Bills Chat Podcast @BillsChatPodDick Jauron was hired as Buffalo Bills Head Coach in 2006 by Marv Levy, who had recently been hired as the teams General Manager.<br><br>He coached the Bills for 3 and a half seasons.<br><br>He didn't have a lot of success in Buffalo, but also got here at a REALLY low point.<br><br>Ralph Wilson… <a href="https://t.co/G5JAQ4I8ER">https://t.co/G5JAQ4I8ER</a>
Jauron finished his coaching career with the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles (senior assistant and defensive backs coach) and the 2011 and 2012 Cleveland Browns (defensive coordinator).
After news of his passing, many people on social media offered remembrances of a kind man who clearly left an indelible impression on them.
Dan Pompei @danpompeiDick Jauron was a kind, unassuming, pleasant family man who spent years caring for his ill wife in the sunset of his life. 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…
Silvy @WaddleandSilvyI covered entire Dick Jauron era as a reporter.<br>He wasn't the Bears 1st choice but developed young talent. <br>The 2001 season was MAGICAL & that defense was the most underrated in Bears history IMO. <br>Playing in Champaign in 02 crushed that team.<br>His kindness was unmatched.<br>RIP.
Todd Haley @thetoddhaleyThe world and the world of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nfl?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nfl</a> lost a great human being today. Dick Jauron. He was a special player, coach , husband , father , boss and especially person! Prayers to his family and friends. He will be missed.
David Haugh @DavidHaughDick Jauron was one of kindest, most decent men ever to pass through Halas Hall. Never built off magical '01 season but never changed. Was first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bears</a> coach I covered and always classy and cooperative. Outstanding player at Yale and with Lions too. <br>RIP.<a href="https://t.co/SgjEl4HqMq">https://t.co/SgjEl4HqMq</a>
Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandtWhat a nice and humble man Dick Jauron was. Interviewed him to be our head coach of the Barcelona Dragons; he was intrigued but ultimately wouldn't leave to the NFL to do so, but so respectful and supportive. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP</a>
Bill Zimmerman @BillTZimmermanDick Jauron was the Bears coach long before I covered the team in any capacity but I did get a chance to meet him on one of my first remotes as the Tahoe Celebrity Golf Tournament. I went up to him, introduced myself to him and told him I was a Bears fan, we talked for maybe…
Jauron is survived by his wife, Gail, and their daughters, Kay and Amy.
B/R Recommends
Week 17 NFL Highlights 2024: Live Tracking Top Plays, Box Scores from Sunday Results
NFL Christmas Day Games on Netflix Drew 65M US Viewers; Sets League Streaming Record
Schefter: All NFL HC Openings Could Be Filled by End of Week After Lions Loss
Week 16 NFL Highlights 2024: Live Tracking Top Plays, Box Scores from Sunday Results
