Dick Jauron
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| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | W | L | T | PCT | W | L |
| 1999 | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 35 | 45 | 0 | .438 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 35 | 46 | 0 | .432 | ||
Born: October 7, 1950 in Peoria, IL
Dick Jauron became the Chicago Bears 12th head coach in 1999 after a series of incredible events. Jauron was the first Defensive Coordinator, under Tom Coughlin, for the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars from 1995-1998. The Jaguars made the playoffs three out of the four years Jauron ran the defense including visits to the AFC Championship Game in 1996.
As Bears Coach, he lead the team to a 13-3 record in 2001 that earned him NFL Coach of the Year honors. Unfortunately, the year turned out to be an aberration for Jauron. The seasons surrounding that year reflected a penchant for playing not to lose, anemic offense, poor clock management, and petty roster management. However, the 2001 season netted Jauron with a contract extension; an extension that would not see it’s fulfillment. In fairness to Coach Jauron, the 2001 defense was ranked first in points allowed and second in rushing.
A calm, cerebral coach, Jauron was the epitome of a players coach. The Yale graduate was known for his soft training camps and practices, which unfortunately, were displayed on the field during games. It is believed that Jauron was fired because he would not make changes in offensive coordinator. John Shoop was a vilified leader of a Bears offense that was dreadful. Apparently, Angelo was willing to keep Jauron if he made a change at offensive coordinator. Jauron’s loyalty to his offensive coordinator, in affect, caused him to lose his job.
Coaching Career
Jauron’s coaching career started in Buffalo after an eight year NFL playing career and a two-year stint at Nautilus Sports Medical Industries.
• 1999-2003—Chicago Bears Head Coach
• 1995-1998—Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive Coordinator
• 1986-1994—Green Bay Packers Defensive Backs Coach (under Forrest Gregg, Lindy Infante, and Mike Holmgren)
• 1985—Buffalo Bills Defensive Backs Coach
Playing Career
An eight year professional career followed a distinguished college career at Yale University.
• 1978-1980—Cincinnati Bengals-Jauron finished up his NFL playing career in Cincinnati with career totals of 26 interceptions and two touchdowns.
• 1973-1977—Detroit Lions-Selected in the fourth round during the 1973 NFL Draft, Dick Jauron played free safety and returned punts. He was a pro-bowl selection in 1974 after leading the NFC in punt return average (16.8).
• 1969-1972—Yale University- Jauron holds several school rushing records, including consecutive 100-yard rushing games (16). Jauron graduated from Yale with a history degree.
McGinnis Fiasco--Jaruon gets the job
The Bears were set to hire Dave McGinnis as the new head coach replacing Dave Wannstedt. McGinnis had been a Bears position coach in the 80s and was said to be a McCaskey family friend. Michael McCaskey, President of the Chicago Bears (grandson of George Halas), conducted the hiring process. Prior to McGinnis being given a contract offer, Mr. McCaskey announced to the media that McGinnis was going to be the new Bears Head Coach. (It was later speculated that Mr. McCaskey made the announcement in an attempt to pressure McGinnis into accepting a lower salary offer.)
McGinnis heard the announcement on the radio as he was getting ready to meet with the McCaskey’s for contract talks. McGinnis was irked by the announcement, but being a family friend assumed he could still work out a deal and everyone would be happy.
During contract negotiations, the McCaskey offer was a four-year deal with a two-year buy out clause, which essentially made the contract a two-year deal. McGinnis asked the question (paraphrased), “How can I expect to hire assistants, who will need to move their families, on a two-year contract? I will not be able to attract top-quality coaches for such a short contract term.” To this, Mr. McCaskey responded, “Why do they need to know?”
It was at that point that McGinnis walked away from the deal because he was being asked to deceive fellow coaches. The McGinnis snub and the news that resulted caused other likely candidates to remove themselves from consideration. Dick Jauron was the 5th coach on the “short list” that was willing to accept the job.
This debacle also saw the “firing” of Michael McCaskey as Team President. Virginia McCaskey, GSH’s daughter, “fired” her eldest son and appointed him “Chairman of the Board” and named Ted Phillips as new Team President. Phillips eventually hired Jerry Angelo the first GM the Bears had had since the mid-80s.
