Richard Manual Jauron (born October 7, 1950 in
Peoria, Illinois) has been the head coach of the
Buffalo Bills of the National Football League since
January 23, 2006.
Jauron has held head coaching positions with the
Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions (interim basis). He
was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2001 after
leading the Bears to a 13-3 record.
Jauron rushed for 2,947 yards at Yale, setting a
school record that stood from 1973 to 2000, and was
thrice named to the All-Ivy League First Team, the
only Yale football athlete to be so honored. He
still holds several school records, including a
streak of 16 consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
Jauron was awarded the Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award
for sportsmanship following his senior season. While
an undergraduate at Yale, he was a member of Wolf's
Head Society.
After graduating from college, Jauron was selected
in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the
Detroit Lions. He started at free safety as a rookie
and was named to the 1974 Pro Bowl in his second
season after leading the NFC in punt return average.
Jauron played with the Lions for five seasons
(1973-1977) and the Cincinnati Bengals for three
seasons (1978-1980) before a knee injury ended his
career. He finished his playing career with 26
interceptions and two touchdowns.
