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

Dick Jauron, a former NFL player and head coach, died on Saturday, February 8. He was 74 years old.

Jauron battled cancer briefly before his passing. Reports from NBC Sports cited The Daily Item, a Massachusetts newspaper. His former team, the Chicago Bears, announced his death through an Instagram post. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Bears head coach Dick Jauron. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family 💙," they wrote alongside a tribute photo.

A daughter of Jauron confirmed his diagnosis of brain cancer, which later spread to other parts of his body, according to the Green Bay Packers.

Jauron began his athletic career at Yale University, playing both football and baseball. In the early 1970s, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the NFL and by the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball, as noted by Associated Press. He played five seasons as a defensive back with the Lions and three seasons with the Cincinnati Eagles before retiring in 1980.

After his playing career, Jauron became a defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills in 1985. He later coached the Green Bay Packers. In 1995, he served as the defensive coordinator for the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars. He eventually became the head coach of the Bears, leading them to an NFC North title in 2001. That same year, he earned the AP Coach of the Year award.

In 2003, Jauron was dismissed as Bears head coach and took on the role of defensive coordinator in Detroit. He acted as interim coach for five games in 2005. From 2006 to 2009, he served as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, concluding his tenure with a record of 60-82, according to ESPN.

Eric Wood, a former Bills center drafted by Jauron, shared his respect. "[Jauron] set a great foundation for my career... and helped us develop as professionals both on and off the field. Coach Jauron was a sincere and thoughtful family man and a true gentleman. My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time," Wood mentioned on the Bills' website.

For the 2011-2012 seasons, Jauron worked as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. The team expressed its sorrow through a post on X, stating, "We're saddened to learn of the passing of longtime NFL coach Dick Jauron. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

Jauron is survived by his daughters Kay and Amy, as reported by The New York Times. 

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