June Jones, the former University of Hawai’i and Atlanta Falcons head coach, died Thursday at age 73. He had entered hospice care two weeks earlier after dealing with health issues this year, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The University of Hawai’i confirmed his death.
Jones played quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors before building a coaching career that eventually brought him back to Honolulu. He served as Hawai’i’s head coach from 1999 to 2007, leading the team to conference titles in 1999 and again in 2007 — a season that remains one of the most celebrated in school history.
That 2007 team opened 12-0 and reached the Sugar Bowl, the first BCS bowl appearance in program history.
Current Hawai’i head coach Timmy Chang, who became the NCAA’s all-time passing yards leader playing under Jones, said he was devastated by the news.
“Coach Jones was a father figure, a mentor, and a visionary who revolutionized the game. He believed in a young kid from Hawai’i and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to run his offense. And his impact didn’t stop when my playing days ended. He guided me every step of the way as I transitioned into coaching, always making time to share his wisdom and support me when I took over this program.”
“He put Hawai’i football on the map and showed us all what was possible. We lost a true legend today, but I will spend the rest of my career trying to honor his legacy, his passion for this university and the Aloha he shared with everyone he touched. My deepest condolences go out to his ‘ohana and all those who he impacted.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, a former Rainbow Warriors player and assistant coach under Jones, also paid tribute to his former coach.
“The 2007 season and making the Sugar Bowl, that went over what anybody ever thought was possible. I was on the field for the game [against] the University of Washington. We were down 21 points, not once but twice, and still came back to win against a very formidable opponent. That kind of coaching and who he was was very, very special. He leaves an incredible legacy here. June was very special, we will miss him, but his legacy will live on.”
A career that began in Honolulu and spanned the NFL
Before returning to Hawai’i as head coach, Jones played college football at Hawai’i, Portland State and Oregon. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent four seasons backing up quarterback Steve Bartkowski. He started five games in his NFL playing career, winning one.
Jones moved into coaching soon after his playing career ended and eventually became the Falcons’ head coach from 1994 to 1996. He was named interim head coach of the San Diego Chargers in 1998 before choosing to return home to lead Hawai’i rather than stay in San Diego.
After his time with the Rainbow Warriors, Jones coached at SMU from 2008 to 2014. He also spent time coaching in the USFL and CFL over the course of his career.
