June Jones, Former Hawaii and Atlanta Falcons Coach, Dies at 73
June Jones, who coached Hawaii from 1999 to 2007 and led the Rainbow Warriors to a 12-0 season and the school's first BCS bowl game, died Thursday at 73 after two weeks in hospice care, the university confirmed.
A coach who put Hawaii on the map
June Jones, the former University of Hawaii head coach who led the Rainbow Warriors to a 12-0 regular season and the school’s first Bowl Championship Series bowl game, died Thursday at age 73, the university confirmed.
Jones had been placed in hospice care two weeks ago after dealing with health issues earlier this year, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Jones played quarterback for Hawaii before returning as head coach in 1999, and he stayed through the 2007 season. Hawaii won conference titles in 1999 and 2007. The 2007 team went 12-0 and reached the Sugar Bowl, the program’s first BCS bowl game.
Timmy Chang, Hawaii’s current head coach, played quarterback under Jones and became the NCAA’s all-time passing yards leader in his offense. “Coach Jones was a father figure, a mentor, and a visionary who revolutionized the game,” Chang said in a statement. “He believed in a young kid from Hawaii 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.”
Chang added: “He put Hawaii 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.”
From player to NFL head coach and back
After playing college ball at Hawaii, Portland State and Oregon, Jones signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons and spent four seasons with the team backing up quarterback Steve Bartkowski. He started five games in his NFL career and won one.
His coaching career began after his playing days ended. He worked his way up to become the Falcons’ head coach from 1994 to 1996, and he was named interim head coach of the San Diego Chargers in 1998. He had a chance to remain in place, but he chose to return to Hawaii as head coach.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, a former Rainbow Warriors player and assistant coach, recalled the 2007 season and a comeback win over the University of Washington in a statement. “The 2007 season and making the Sugar Bowl, that went over what anybody ever thought was possible,” Blangiardi said. “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.”
After Hawaii, Jones coached at SMU from 2008 to 2014. He also coached in the USFL and CFL.
Reporting based on coverage by Fox News and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
