The Buffalo Bills announced on Saturday that former Detroit Lions safety and head coach Dick Jauron has passed away. Jauron fought against cancer. He was 74 years of age.
Jauron served as the head coach for the Chicago Bears, interim for the Lions, and the Buffalo Bills. Over the course of 10 seasons, his teams recorded a 60-82 record.
“The Detroit Lions express their sorrow alongside the NFL community over the loss of Dick Jauron,” the team posted on social media.
Jauron was selected in the fourth round by the Lions from Yale during the 1973 NFL draft. He dedicated his initial five seasons to Detroit, placing second in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year after intercepting four passes and recovering five fumbles. He received a Pro Bowl selection in his second year. He was a player for the Cincinnati Bengals between 1978 and 1980.
During his eight-year career in the NFL, Jauron participated in 100 games (80 starts), achieving 25 interceptions with two returned for touchdowns, 15 fumble recoveries, and four sacks, as stated by Pro Football Reference.
Jauron subsequently moved into coaching and began his NFL career in 1985 as the defensive backs coach for the Bills.
He took on the role of head coach for the Bears in 1999, and his only successful season as a head coach occurred in 2001 when he guided Chicago to a 13-3 record in his third year and earned AP Coach of the Year honors. He was
In 2005, the Lions recorded a 1-4 record after defensive coordinator Jauron was appointed following the dismissal of Steve Mariucci. He was appointed as the head coach of the Bills in 2006. He was let go during the 2009 season, finishing with a 24-33 record there.
His final position in the NFL was with the Cleveland Browns, where he served as defensive coordinator for two years from 2011 to 2012.