CLEVELAND, Ohio — Dick Jauron, former Browns defensive coordinator during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, has died at 74.
“We are so incredibly devastated to share the news that my dad has passed away,” Jauron’s daughter Kacy posted Saturday on Facebook, noting that her father had died after being diagnosed with cancer this week. “The past week has been one awful nightmare after another. The pain that I and everyone else who loved him is feeling right now is completely immeasurable.
“The very best son, brother, friend, teammate, husband, father, coach, HUMAN that we were all so lucky to love.”
Jauron’s two seasons with Cleveland became his last in the NFL, retiring for good after his tenure ended.
The Browns finished the 2011 season 4-12, but their defense ranked fifth in points (19.2) and second in fewest passing yards allowed (184.9). However, it was a poor run defense that hurt them, ranking 30th in rushing yards allowed (147.4).
The Browns were 5-11 in 2012, and things didn’t improve for their defense. They finished 19th in points (23.0), 18th in rushing yards (118.6) and dropped to 24th in passing yards (245.2).
Long before his time in Cleveland, Jauron built up years of experience as both a player and coach in the NFL.
An All-American safety at Yale, Detroit drafted Jauron in 1973 and he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1974. He spent five seasons there before playing his last three seasons in Cincinnati.
He worked his way up the coaching ranks before taking the head coaching gig in Chicago from 1999–2003, where he won AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2001. The Bears finished 13-3 before losing to Philadelphia in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Jauron took the defensive coordinator position in Detroit in 2005, but after head coach Steve Mariucci was fired after Week 12, Jauron coached the final five games and was 1-4.
He then took the head coaching gig in Buffalo from 2006–09, but was fired halfway through the 2009 season and finished with a cumulative record of 24-33.
