Ex-Bears coach Jauron fired in Buffalo

Ex-Bears coach Dick Jauron has been replaced by ex-Bears defensive backs coach Perry Fewell as the coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Jauron was fired today by Bills owner Ralph Wilson with the team sitting at 3-6 after being blown out Sunday at Tennessee.

Jauron, who coached the Bears from 1999 through 2003, compiled a 24-33 record as the head coach of the Bills, who had far less talent to work with than Wilson ever imagined. The Bills have not reached the postseason since 1999.

The move makes Jauron the first coach fired in-season by Wilson since he let go Hank Bullough during the middle of the 1986 season. Bullough is the father of Chuck Bullough, a former Bears’ defensive assistant.

“I am announcing today that I am relieving Dick Jauron from his duties as our head coach, effective immediately,” Wilson said in a statement. “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.”

Jauron also spent time as the interim coach of the Detroit Lions after Steve Mariucci was fired in 2005. Jauron’s career record is 60-82 and the high point came in 2001 when he guided the Bears to a 13-3 record.

Fewell was the second secondary coach for Lovie Smith. He replaced Vance Bedford in 2005 and then left to be the defensive coordinator under Jauron.