According to various reports on Saturday morning, former NFL safety and coach Dick Jauron has died at the age of 74 following a battle with cancer.
Jauron was picked by the Detroit Lions in fourth round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl in 1974 as a punt returner after finishing second for Defensive Rookie of the Year with four interceptions and five fumble recoveries. He participated in 58 games during his five seasons with the Lions, recording 10.1 yards per punt return, 11 fumble recoveries, and 14 interceptions. He spent the final three seasons of his playing career (1978-1980) with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jauron’s coaching career was far more well-known. He began his career as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive backs coach in 1985. He served in the same capacity for the Green Bay Packers from 1986 to 1994 until landing his first defensive coordinator position in 1995 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were expanding.
In 1999, Jauron was hired as the Chicago Bears’ inaugural head coach. During his five seasons as head coach of the Bears, he had a 35-45 record, with his 13-3 season in 2001 earning him the AP Coach of the Year award.
In 2004, Jauron rejoined the Lions as head coach Steve Mariucci’s defensive coordinator. After Mariucci was fired as temporary head coach, he concluded the 2005 season with one victory in five games. Jauron was let go after Rod Marinelli took over as head coach in 2006.
Then, in 2006, Jauron rejoined the Bills as head coach. He had a 24-33 record there for more than three seasons. After that, he worked as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2012 and as the Philadelphia Eagles’ senior defensive assistant from 2010 to 2012.
Dick Jauron, a former Lions player and coach, passed away at the age of 74.
Regarding Jauron’s death, the Lions released a statement.
“Dick Jauron’s loss is being mourned by the Detroit Lions and the NFL community.”
“After being selected by Detroit in the 1973 NFL Draft, Jauron played with the Lions for five years as a great defensive back, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl in 1974. From 2004 to 2005, he rejoined the team as defensive coordinator, and at the end of the 2005 season, he served as interim head coach.
The NFL community and the Detroit Lions are both in mourning for Dick Jauron’s loss.
