College football coaching great June Jones dead at 73

Longtime football coach June Jones died at the age of 73 on Thursday. Jones, who famously helped popularize the run-and-shoot offense, a pass-heavy approach that produced some of college football’s most prolific passing attacks, dealt with health issues earlier this year and entered hospice care two weeks ago, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.A former quarterback, Jones went undrafted after playing at Oregon, Hawaii and Portland State.He played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in 17 games and making five starts behind center from 1977-81 before getting into coaching. After a stop as the quarterbacks coach at the University of Hawaii, Jones worked his way up through the NFL ranks, becoming the head coach of Atlanta from 1994-96. “We mourn the passing of former head coach June Jones,” the Falcons wrote on X.

“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.”Jones spent time as the interim head coach of the Chargers in 1998 before bolting for a head coaching gig at Hawaii. With the Rainbow Warriors, Jones won 76 games across nine seasons from 1999 to 2007, including six bowl game appearances and two WAC titles.During his final season at the helm, UH went 12-0 in the regular season before falling to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.“A leader, coach, mentor and innovator who helped bring Hawai’i Football to unprecedented heights,” the Rainbow Warriors’ official account wrote on X.“Rest In Aloha, June Jones.”Jones left Hawaii to take the top job at SMU, where he went 36-43 as the Mustangs’ head coach. He last coached in 2023, serving as offensive coordinator for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons....