June Jones, a man who helped changed the way offense is played in American football, has passed away at the age of 73 after entering hospice care.
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According to The Athletic, former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme said that Jones had suffered from severe back pain this year. He underwent evaluation, and doctors discovered a tumor.
Jones is the man who transformed the University of Hawaii during his tenure as head coach (1999-2007). He led the team to a 76-41 overall record and a 4-2 record in bowl games.
This included a 12-1 season in 2007 when Jones and the late Colt Brennan led the team to the Sugar Bowl. Hawaii lost to Georgia, but Brennan ended the year as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
A leader, coach, mentor and innovator who helped bring Hawai'i Football to unprecedented heights.
Rest In Aloha, June Jones. pic.twitter.com/ZfEV0b2Y1p
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) October 29, 2026
A native of Portland, Oregon, Jones spent part of his college career as a quarterback at Oregon and at Hawaii. However, he flourished once he transferred to Portland State. He spent two seasons with the Pacific Northwest team (1975-76) while leading it to consecutive eight-win seasons.
Jones set a number of records during his time working in Mouse Davis' run-and-shoot offense, and he threw for 5,798 yards and 41 touchdowns. He later became a member of the university's Hall of Fame.
The Oregon native went undrafted in 1977, but he secured a spot on the Atlanta Falcons. This kicked off a five-year tenure in the NFL in which he played in 17 games. He then spent the 1982 season with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts before ending his playing career and moving into the world of coaching.
Jones started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Hawaii in 1983, but he then moved to the USFL in 1984. He also spent time in the 1980s with the CFL's Ottawa Roughriders, the NFL's Houston Oilers, and the Detroit Lions.
Jones returned to the Falcons in 1991 as the offensive coordinator, and he brought the run-and-shoot offense with him. The team ranked eighth in total offense and fifth in points that season.
He remained OC through the end of the 1993 season and then he became the head coach of the Falcons. He held this role for three seasons (1994-96), and then he spent 10 games as head coach of the Chargers in 1998.
Jones spent 1999-2007 with Hawaii, and then he moved over to SMU. He led the team from 2008-14 while posting a 36-43 record in the regular season and a 3-1 record in bowl games.
Jones closed out his coaching career with stops in multiple areas. He served as offensive coordinator for Kapolei HS (2016), head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2017-18), head coach of the Houston Roughnecks (2020), offensive coordinator of the TSL Conquerors (2020), and offensive coordinator of the Seattle Sea Dragons (2023).
"We mourn the passing of former head coach June Jones," the Falcons said in a statement.
"A visionary in the passing game, Coach Jones will be remembered with gratitude for his contributions to our organization and the lasting impact he made on those he coached and mentored
"We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him."
