Dick Jauron, Former NFL Player and Coach, Dies at 74

2025-03-01

Dick Jauron, a former NFL player and head coach, passed away at the age of 74 on Saturday, February 8, 2025, after a brief battle with brain cancer. His death was confirmed by the Chicago Bears, one of the teams he coached, in a heartfelt social media post. Jauron, who had been diagnosed with cancer that spread to other parts of his body, was remembered as a respected figure in the football community.

Jauron began his career as a two-sport athlete at Yale University before being drafted by both the Detroit Lions in the NFL and the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. He chose football, playing as a defensive back for the Lions and later the Cincinnati Bengals, retiring in 1980. Transitioning to coaching, he served as a defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers before becoming the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.

In 1999, Jauron was named head coach of the Chicago Bears, where he achieved notable success, including leading the team to a 13-3 record in 2001 and earning the AP Coach of the Year award. Despite his accomplishments, he was fired in 2003 after a series of losing seasons. Jauron later served as head coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2006 to 2009, finishing with a 60-82 record over his coaching career.

Known for his integrity and dedication, Jauron was praised by former players and colleagues. Eric Wood, a former Bills center drafted by Jauron, described him as “a sincere and thoughtful family man and a true gentleman.” Jauron is survived by his two daughters, Kay and Amy. His passing marks the end of a storied career that left a lasting impact on the NFL.

Former NFL Player and Head Coach Dick Jauron Dies at 74 After Brain Cancer Diagnosis

Dick Jauron’s death was announced by his former coaching team, the Chicago Bears, in a post on Instagram on Saturday, Feb. 8. He died Saturday morning

people.com