ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills announced the passing of former head coach Dick Jauron Saturday at the age of 74.

Jauron served as head coach for the team from 2006-2009 and ended with a 24-33 record in Orchard Park. He was fired in the middle of the 2009 season after the Bills started the year with a 3-6 record.

In a post on X former Bills’ center Eric Wood who was drafted by Jauron in 2009 said he was “lucky” to have come into the league under “such an incredible person.” He offered prayers for the Jauron family as well.

Jauron started his professional coaching career in 1985 as a defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. He would soon jump to Green Bay and then Jacksonville before landing his first head coaching job with the Chicago Bears in 1999 where he would stay for five years.

After a short stint in Detroit as a defensive coordinator he was hired as the 14th head coach of the Buffalo Bills. His best record with the team was 7-9 through 3 1/2 of the drought years.

In a Facebook post, the Buffalo Bills said:

“We’re saddened to learn about the passing of former Head Coach Dick Jauron. ❤️💙

We are thinking of his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Not just a coach, Jauron was also a multi-sport athlete in high school and would go on to be a running back at Yale University. He was drafted by Detroit in 1973 and played defensive back for the Lions and Bengals until 1980.

Jauron would later be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and overall, spent 34 years in the NFL as a coach and player.