Dick Jauron. Photo: Icon Sportswire via AP Images[/caption]

He had been dealing with cancer for a short time before his death on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 8, NBC Sports reported, citing the Massachusetts newspaper The Daily Item.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Bears head coach Dick Jauron. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family 💙,” they captioned a photo of the late coach.

Jauron applauding as his defensive unit leaves the field in the second quarter against the New England Patriots in 2006.Charles Krupa/ AP Photo

The longtime coach began his sports career playing both football and baseball at Yale University. In the early 1970s, he was drafted into the NFL by the Detroit Lions and in Major League Baseball by the St. Louis Cardinals, per Associated Press.

In 1995, Juaron became the defensive coordinator for the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars before eventually securing the head coach position for the Bears, leading the team to win the NFC North in 2001. That same year, he was named the AP Coach of the Year as the Bears’ head coach, per AP.

Juaron, coach of the Buffalo Bills, on the field at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina in 2009.Grant Halverson/Getty

Eric Wood, former Bills center who was drafted by Jauron in 2009, said of the late coach, “[Jauron] set a great foundation for my career … and helped us develop as professionals both on and off the field. Coach Jauron was a sincere and thoughtful family man and a true gentleman. My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time,” per the Bills’ website.

Jauron watching the Cleveland Browns during an NFL game in 2011.David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty

The team shared a tribute on X, writing, “We’re saddened to learn of the passing of longtime NFL coach Dick Jauron, who served as our defensive coordinator for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Jauron is survived by his two daughters Kay and Amy, per The New York Times.