Dick Jauron is a former American football player and coach who had a successful career in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Yale University and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL Draft. Jauron played for the Lions for six seasons as a defensive back and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1974.
After retiring as a player, Jauron began his coaching career as an assistant with the Buffalo Bills in 1985. He spent the next several years as an assistant coach with various teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Jacksonville Jaguars. In 1995, Jauron was named the defensive coordinator of the expansion Carolina Panthers, where he helped lead the team to the NFC Championship Game in their second season.
Jauron's first head coaching job came in 1999 with the Chicago Bears. He led the team to a 13-3 record and a division title in his first season, earning NFL Coach of the Year honors. However, the team struggled in the following seasons and Jauron was fired after the 2003 season.
Jauron then spent several years as an assistant coach with the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints before being hired as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2006. He led the team to a 7-9 record in his first season and was named the NFL Coach of the Year by Sporting News. However, the team struggled in the following seasons and Jauron was fired midway through the 2009 season.
Overall, Jauron had a successful career in the NFL as both a player and coach. He was known for his defensive expertise and his ability to develop young players. While he never won a Super Bowl as a coach, he was widely respected throughout the league for his knowledge and leadership.
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