The Buffalo Bills finally have fired Dick Jauron.
The only surprising aspect of the decision is that it happened now. Those who follow the team closely assumed that if the Bills hadn't fired Jauron by now that he would last the rest of the season.
“I am announcing today that I am relieving Dick Jauron from his duties as our head coach, effective immediately," Bills owner Ralph Wilson said in a statement released by the club. "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.”
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is expected to take over as interim coach. Fewell's defense has been pedestrian at best. It ranks 26th in total defense and dead last in run defense.
The Bills have bumbled their way to a 3-6 record, last place in the AFC East. They will miss the playoffs for the 10th straight season.
The move came one day after Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel called the Bills' situation "embarrassing. I mean, we’re technically, mathematically still in [the playoff race], I guess, but it's like what ... are we doing here?
"That’s about all I can say without saying what I want to say."
The Bills went 7-9 in each of their previous three seasons under Jauron.
Jauron and the front office have committed a series of missteps. They fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert 10 days before their season opener. Terrell Owens is on his way to having the least productive season of his career, making his addition little more than a publicity stunt.
They're no closer to knowing who their quarterback is. Trent Edwards appeared to be the clear-cut starter but may have lost the job to Ryan Fitzpatrick.
They misjudged their talent on the offensive line, thinking they were fine at tackle after trading two-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters and moving veteran Langston Walker from the right to the left. Walker didn't make the 53-man roster.
Buffalo signed Jauron to a three-year contract extension after a hot 5-1 start last year. The Bills won only two of their final 10 games and didn’t make the playoffs.