Allen Park Former Detroit Lions coach and long-time NFL player Dick Jauron passed away at the age of 74 following a recent cancer diagnosis. In the 1970s, Jauron spent five seasons with the Lions. He was a one-time Pro Bowler in Detroit and finished second in the 1973 defensive rookie of the year competition. After three seasons in Cincinnati, Jauron concluded his playing career. During his eight seasons with the Lions and Bengals, he recorded 25 interceptions.
But his NFL career was far from over. From 1985 till 2012, Jauron served in some capacity as a league coach. In 2001, the Associated Press named Jauron the head coach of the year while he was coaching the Chicago Bears. Jauron returned to Detroit as Steve Mariucci’s defensive coordinator after departing the Bears and taking a year off from the game. Jauron was appointed temporary coach after Mariucci was fired halfway through the 2005 season. After Jauron went 1-4 in the last stretch of the season, the Lions interviewed him for the head coaching job. However, Jauron found success with the Buffalo Bills, and they ultimately chose Rod Marinelli as their next head coach.
He served as Buffalo’s head coach from 2006 to 2009 before finishing his coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. His last role in the NFL was as defensive coordinator of the Browns from 2011-2012.
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