June Jones, former Hawaii and Atlanta Falcons head coach, dead at 73

**Lead**

June Jones, the former head coach of the University of Hawaii football team and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL, has died at the age of 73. Jones passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2026, at his home in Honolulu, according to a statement released by his family through the University of Hawaii athletic department. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but Jones had been battling a long-term illness in recent years.

Jones was best known for his high-octane, run-and-shoot offense that transformed Hawaii from a perennial doormat into a nationally ranked program. He also guided the Atlanta Falcons to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history during the 1998 season, cementing his legacy as one of the most innovative offensive minds in football.

**Contexto**

Born on February 19, 1953, in Portland, Oregon, June Sheldon Jones III grew up in a football family. He played quarterback at the University of Oregon before transferring to Portland State, where he set school records. After a brief playing career in the Canadian Football League, Jones entered coaching, quickly rising through the ranks as a wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator.

Jones’s first head coaching job came in 1994 with the Atlanta Falcons. In his third season, 1997, the Falcons went 7-9, but the following year, Jones led the team to a 14-2 regular-season record and an NFC Championship. The Falcons advanced to Super Bowl XXXIII, where they lost to the Denver Broncos. Jones was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1998. He remained with Atlanta through the 2001 season, compiling a 52-61 record.

After a brief stint as head coach of the San Diego Chargers in 2002, where he went 0-2 before resigning, Jones took over the University of Hawaii program in 1999. At the time, Hawaii was a struggling program in the Western Athletic Conference. Jones implemented his signature run-and-shoot offense, and the Warriors quickly became one of the most exciting teams in college football.

Under Jones, Hawaii posted nine winning seasons in nine years, including a 12-0 regular season in 2007 that culminated in a BCS bowl berth — the Sugar Bowl — where they lost to Georgia. Quarterback Colt Brennan, who thrived in Jones’s system, finished third in Heisman Trophy voting that season. Jones left Hawaii after the 2007 season to become head coach at Southern Methodist University, where he coached from 2008 to 2014, leading the Mustangs to their first bowl game in 25 years.

Jones returned to Hawaii in 2015 as an assistant coach and later served as interim head coach in 2016. He retired from coaching after the 2018 season, finishing his college head coaching career with a 120-94 record. His overall NFL head coaching record was 52-63.

**Analise**

Jones’s death marks the end of an era for both the NFL and college football. He was one of the last true architects of the run-and-shoot offense, a system that prioritized quick passes, spacing, and quarterback decision-making. While the scheme has evolved, its DNA can be seen in modern spread offenses run by teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the University of Washington.

Jones’s impact on the University of Hawaii is immeasurable. Before his arrival, the Warriors had only two winning seasons in the previous 15 years. Jones not only made the program competitive but also turned it into a national brand. His teams regularly sold out Aloha Stadium, and his success helped secure funding for facility upgrades that benefited the entire athletic department.

In the NFL, Jones is remembered as a coach who got the most out of his players. His 1998 Falcons team featured a balanced attack led by running back Jamal Anderson and quarterback Chris Chandler, but it was Jones’s offensive creativity that made the unit elite. He was also a mentor to several future coaches, including current NFL offensive coordinators who cite Jones as an influence.

Jones’s legacy extends beyond wins and losses. He was known for his philanthropy in Hawaii, supporting youth football programs and local charities. His family has requested that donations be made to the University of Hawaii football program in lieu of flowers.

**Fontes**

- University of Hawaii athletic department official statement, October 30, 2026 - NFL records and historical data, Pro Football Hall of Fame archives - NCAA football statistics, Sports Reference - Family statement released through Honolulu media outlets