Longtime NFL player and coach Dick Jauron, who guided the Chicago Bears to the playoffs and earned the AP Coach of the Year award in 2001, passed away on Saturday at the age of 74. The Bears organization confirmed his passing, which occurred just one day before the Super Bowl in New Orleans, where the Philadelphia Eagles—where Jauron once worked as an assistant under current Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid—faced off against the Chiefs.
Jauron’s journey in sports began as a standout two-sport athlete at Yale in the early 1970s. He was drafted by both the Detroit Lions in the NFL and the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Ultimately, he chose football as his career path, playing as a defensive back for five seasons with the Lions and three more with the Cincinnati Bengals before retiring in 1980.
After his playing days, Jauron transitioned into coaching, starting as a defensive backs coach with the Buffalo Bills in 1985. He later held the same role with the Green Bay Packers, where he formed a lasting friendship with Andy Reid, who was then an assistant offensive line and tight ends coach. In 1995, Jauron was hired by Tom Coughlin as the defensive coordinator for the newly formed Jacksonville Jaguars. His success there led to his first head coaching opportunity with the Chicago Bears in 1999.
During his five seasons with the Bears, Jauron led the team to the NFC North title in 2001, earning him Coach of the Year honors. However, the Bears fell to Reid’s Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs that year. Jauron was let go in 2003 and went on to serve as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, briefly stepping in as interim head coach for five games in 2005. He later spent four seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Bills but was unable to achieve a winning record during his tenure.
Over his 10-year head coaching career, Jauron compiled a 60-82 record and made one playoff appearance. Known for his calm demeanor and dedication to the game, he was widely respected by players and colleagues alike.
Jauron’s passing comes just two days after the Bears announced the death of Virginia Halas McCaskey, the team’s longtime principal owner and daughter of franchise founder George Halas. McCaskey, who was 102, had been a cornerstone of the Bears organization for over four decades.
Dick Jauron’s legacy as both a player and coach will be remembered by fans and the NFL community for years to come.
