Football coach June Jones died at the age of 73 while in hospice care following a diagnosis with a spinal tumour, friends of Jones told FOX affiliate KHON. Jones helped popularize the pass-heavy run-and-shoot offense during a wide-ranging coaching career that included stints at Hawaii and SMU, as well as in the professional ranks with the Atlanta Falcons and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Early Roots and Playing Career
A native of Portland, Jones starred as a quarterback under offensive coordinator Mouse Davis at Portland State in the mid-1970s after transferring from Hawaii. That stint marked the early implementation of the run-and-shoot offense, a scheme where receivers adjusted their routes on the fly based on coverage while the quarterback read both defenders and coverages.
Following his college career, Jones appeared in 17 games across four seasons for the Atlanta Falcons from 1977 to 1981. He then spent one season with the Toronto Argonauts in 1982 before transitioning to coaching.
Professional Coaching Stints
Jones launched his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach at Hawaii before moving through the USFL and the CFL with the Ottawa Rough Riders. He landed his first NFL job in 1987 as the quarterbacks coach for the Houston Oilers. After serving three years as the offensive coordinator for the Falcons, he took over as the franchise’s head coach in 1994.
BREAKING: June Jones dead at 73 The former Falcons quarterback and head coach was a pioneer of the run-and-shoot offense, Jones led Atlanta to the playoffs in 1995. pic.twitter.com/IU3wxSQK0X
He compiled a 19-29 record across three seasons in Atlanta. The Falcons reached the NFC wild-card round in his second season before losing to the Green Bay Packers. Jones was dismissed following a 3-13 campaign in 1996 marked by a public feud with quarterback Jeff George. Following a brief stint as interim head coach of the San Diego Chargers in 1998, where he went 3-7 to finish out a 5-11 season, Jones moved to the collegiate ranks.
College Success at Hawaii and SMU
In 1999, Jones took over as head coach of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and reshaped the run-and-shoot by placing quarterback Colt Brennan in the shotgun rather than under center. He won a WAC title in his debut season and defeated Oregon State in the Oahu Bowl.
We mourn the passing of former head coach June JonesA 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 mentoredWe extend our deepest condolences to his… pic.twitter.com/vTLHzXtBqi
His nine-year run in Honolulu culminated in a 12-1 campaign in 2007, capped by a WAC championship before a Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia. Jones finished his Hawaii tenure with a 76-41 record. Days after that bowl game, he accepted the head coaching job at SMU, where he spent six-plus seasons and finished with a 36-43 record before stepping down two games into the 2014 season.
Late Career in the CFL and XFL
After working at Honolulu-area high schools, Jones returned to professional football in 2017 as the offensive coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats under Kent Austin. When Austin stepped down following an 0-8 start, Jones took over as interim head coach. He led the team to a 6-4 finish and the permanent head coaching role for 2018.
June Jones, pioneer of the Run-and-Shoot Offense and former coach for the Falcons, Hawaii, SMU and XFL, has reportedly passedhttps://t.co/yuKvTUuBru
The Tiger-Cats went 8-10 in 2018, reaching the East Final before falling to the Ottawa Redblacks. Jones stepped down ahead of the 2019 season to make way for Orlondo Steinauer. Weeks later, he joined the revived XFL as the head coach and general manager of the Houston Roughnecks, guiding the team to a 5-0 start before the league halted play due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He finished his coaching career as an offensive coordinator for the Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions About June Jones
What was June Jones’s record as head coach at Hawaii?
Jones finished his nine-season tenure at Hawaii with a 76-41 record, highlighted by a WAC title in 2007.
🚨 Former #Falcons and Hawaii and SMU head coach June Jones has died at age 73 🙏🙏🙏
Which professional leagues did June Jones coach in?
Jones coached in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, and Houston Oilers; in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders; in the USFL; and in the XFL with the Houston Roughnecks.
What offensive scheme is June Jones best known for popularizing?
Jones helped popularize the run-and-shoot offense, a pass-heavy scheme where receivers alter their routes dynamically based on defensive coverage.
Former Falcons quarterback, offensive coordinator, and head coach; I have so many fond memories of those early-to-mid 90s offenses https://t.co/oCf8OP6dBc
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