Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
Former Falcons and Hawaii coach June Jones dies at 73
June Jones, a longtime football coach, has died at 73.
He coached in the NFL, college football and other professional leagues, including the Atlanta Falcons, Hawaii and SMU.
Jones helped popularize the run-and-shoot offense, a passing-focused system that uses several receivers and flexible routes.
He led the Falcons from 1994 to 1996 and later became Hawaii's winningest coach, with a 76-41 record.
Hawaii went 12-0 in 2007 before losing to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and Jones also led SMU to four straight bowl games.
His teams helped reshape passing offenses and revive programs, including Hawaii and SMU, which had struggled before his arrival.
Jones stepped away from coaching in 2023 after working across the NFL, CFL, USFL, XFL and college football.
June Jones, a pioneer of the run-and-shoot offense, has died at 73, according to reports from his former teams and an organization he founded.
Jones coached the Atlanta Falcons from 1994 to 1996 and led the University of Hawai‘i from 1999 to 2007.
At Hawai‘i, his teams went 76-41, won conference titles in 1999 and 2007, and reached the Sugar Bowl after starting 12-0 in 2007.
He later coached SMU, CFL teams and XFL teams, and remained involved in football until stepping away in 2023.
The University of Hawai‘i confirmed his death, while his run-and-shoot certification company also announced it.
- Who
- June Jones, longtime college and professional football coach.
- What
- He died at 73.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 2026, according to CBS Sports and ESPN.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jones began coaching quarterbacks for the Houston Oilers, according to ESPN.
Jones became head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Jones took over as head coach at Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i started 12-0 before losing to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Jones left Hawai‘i after a contract dispute and joined SMU.
Jones stepped away from coaching, according to the Daily Mail.
- Age
- 73
- Falcons head coach
- 1994–1996
- Hawai‘i head coach
- 1999–2007; 76-41 record
- Hawai‘i 2007 season
- Started 12-0; lost to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl
- SMU tenure
- 2008–2014
- Coaching across pro leagues
- NFL, CFL, original USFL and XFL
4 sources
Former Falcons HC June Jones Passes Away At 73
Legendary Atlanta Falcons head coach June Jones dead at 73: Team pays tribute to 'visionary' after spell in hospice care
June Jones dies at 73: Pioneer coach produced innovative offenses at SMU, Hawaii and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons
Longtime football coach Jones, pioneer of run-and-shoot offense, dies at 73
What people are saying
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.
It was the people he believed in, the opportunities he gave and the lives he forever changed.
He really gave me the confidence to take my game to the next level and give me the confidence to play like an All-American.
The Run & Shoot fundamentally changed the way the Pass Game is taught.