The NFL community is mourning the loss of Dick Jauron, a respected figure both on the field and on the sidelines, who recently passed away at the age of 74. His illustrious career included dedicating himself to football as a player and a head coach, best known for leading the Chicago Bears to the playoffs and earning accolades as the AP Coach of the Year in 2001.
Jauron’s demise was confirmed by the Chicago Bears, a team with which he shared a significant chapter of his career. His passing coincides with a reflective moment for football fans, just a day before the Super Bowl clash between Philadelphia and Kansas City in New Orleans. Notably, Jauron had once served as an assistant in Philadelphia under the renowned current Kansas City Chiefs coach, Andy Reid.
Born a two-sport talent at Yale in the early 1970s, Jauron stood out as a star athlete. He faced a pivotal career decision when drafted by both the NFL’s Detroit Lions and MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals. Ultimately, his passion for football prevailed after a successful eight-year stint, where he played as a defensive back with the Detroit Lions before concluding his player career in Cincinnati with the Bengals in 1980.
Transitioning seamlessly into coaching, Jauron embarked on his second chapter with remarkable dedication. His journey began at the Buffalo Bills, where he coached defensive backs. His talent and work ethic quickly caught attention, leading him to the Green Bay Packers and subsequently to a close working relationship with Andy Reid, who was then serving as an assistant coach.
Jauron’s prowess was further highlighted when Tom Coughlin recruited him as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. His success there paved the way for his head coaching role with the Chicago Bears. Securing the NFC North title in 2001 underscored his tactical acumen, even though the team fell to the Reid-led Eagles in the playoffs.
Despite his notable successes, coaching roles can be tumultuous, and Jauron experienced this firsthand. His tenure with the Bears ended in 2003, and stints as a defensive coordinator followed, first with Detroit, where he also assumed interim head coaching duties, and later as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Though he struggled to achieve a winning record, his commitment and passion remained unwavering throughout his career.
Jauron concluded his coaching career with a record of 60-82, having secured a remarkable yet solitary playoff appearance across ten coaching seasons. His death resonates deeply in the world of sports, marking the end of an era for a figure who left an indelible impact on American football.
Jauron’s passing comes shortly after the NFL community also lost Virginia Halas McCaskey, the Chicago Bears matriarch who inherited the franchise from her father, George Halas. Her death at 102 marks close of another significant chapter in the NFL legacy.
