Former Hawaii Coach June Jones Dies At 73 After Transforming Rainbow Warriors

June Jones coached Hawaii to an unbeaten regular season in 2007.© Image via Getty

June Jones, the former Hawaii and Atlanta Falcons coach known for his attacking run-and-shoot offense, has died at the age of 73. Jones died on Thursday, October 29, 2026, after leading Hawaii through one of the most successful periods in its football history. His team finished the 2007 regular season with a perfect 12-0 record, earning a place in the Sugar Bowl, where they faced Georgia. Hawaii lost 41-10, but the season remains one of the biggest achievements in the program's history. Jones also coached in the NFL, working with the Atlanta Falcons and briefly serving as interim coach of the San Diego Chargers.

June Jones transformed Hawaii football with the run-and-shoot offense

Jones took over Hawaii in 1999 after the team finished the previous season with a 0-12 record. He quickly changed its fortunes, guiding the Rainbow Warriors to a 9-4 record and an Oahu Bowl victory in his first season. The team also won the Western Athletic Conference title that year.

His biggest achievement came in 2007. With quarterback Colt Brennan leading the attack, Hawaii won all 12 regular-season games and earned a place in the Bowl Championship Series. The team then travelled to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl but lost 41-10 to Georgia.

During his nine seasons at Hawaii, Jones recorded 76 wins and 41 losses, making him the winningest coach in the programme's history. His work also helped Timmy Chang become one of college football's leading passers. Chang later became Hawaii's head coach.

Reacting to his former coach's death, Chang said, “Coach Jones was a father figure, a mentor, and a visionary who revolutionized the game. He believed in a young kid from Hawaii and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to run his offense.”

June Jones coached Atlanta Falcons and SMU before his death

Before returning to Hawaii, Jones spent three seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 1994 to 1996. He took the team to the playoffs in 1995 with quarterback Jeff George but was fired after the 1996 season. He also briefly served as interim head coach of the San Diego Chargers in 1998.

Jones later moved to Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he coached for more than six seasons. He finished his time there with 36 wins and 43 losses. His coaching career also included work with the Houston Oilers, where he joined Jerry Glanville's staff in 1987.

Jones learned the run-and-shoot system under coach Mouse Davis at Portland State. The offence used four receivers who could change their routes based on the defence, with the focus largely on passing rather than running the ball.

The Atlanta Falcons paid tribute to Jones, calling him “A visionary in the passing game,” in a statement on Thursday.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green also remembered the former coach and spoke about his impact on the state.

“He was a motivator of young people and he was a winner,” Green said. “He won big moments for us, and that put us into the spotlight.”

The University of Hawaii confirmed Jones' death in its October 29 statement. It did not share a cause of death. The Associated Press, citing the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reported that Jones had entered hospice care in Oregon two weeks before his death.