Buffalo Bills Fire Head Coach Dick Jauron

The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Dick Jauron today. This really doesn’t come as any surprise. It was more an issue of “if not now, when?” And what better time than when you’re 3-6 and coming off three-plus seasons with a .421 winning percentage? Coach Jauron, while certainly a kind man who gave it all he had, simply could not revive a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999. That streak ties the Detroit Lions for the longest active dry spell for any non-expansion team. All this being said, the Bills’ problems run deeper than the head coach, but this was a necessary start. In fact, I felt this move should’ve been made before the 2009 season began.

Dick Jauron fired by Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

Bills owner Ralph Wilson made the following statement today:

“I am announcing today that I am relieving Dick Jauron from his duties as our head coach, effective immediately. I have tremendous respect for Dick and thank him for all of his efforts during these past four years. While this was a very difficult decision, I felt that it is one that needed to be made at this time for the best interest of our team. We will now focus on moving forward and preparing for our game this week in Jacksonville.”

No word was immediately given as to who the interim coach would be (although I suspect defensive coordinator Perry Fewell). But you can bet the Bills will look outside the organization (at least one hopes) for a new head coach next season. Names like Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan come to mind, but there will be a long list of worthy candidates trying to help the Bills return to their glory years.

Source: BuffaloBills.com