Former Hawaii coach June Jones dies at 73

Legendary college football coach June Jones, architect of the Run & Shoot offense, has died at age 73, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. According to the publication, a close family friend noted he had been suffering health issues this year and had entered hospice care two weeks ago. Jones famously led Hawaii to a 12-0 regular season and the WAC title in 2007, earning a BCS Sugar Bowl trip to face Georgia to conclude that year. His quarterback, Colt Brennan, posted absurd numbers during his three-year stint under Jones’ leadership. June Jones coached Hawaii for nine seasons, working there from 1999 to 2007 and elevating the program to new heights. He left for SMU following a contract dispute with Hawaii after the 2007 season. But it was his time as a coach at Hawaii that really stamped Jones’ college coaching career. He inherited a program that had finished 0-12 in 1998, the year prior to his arrival. He promptly turned things around, going 9-4 in his inaugural season in charge. Jones would post six seasons with at least nine wins during his tenure at Hawaii, including three seasons with double-digit wins. He molded some elite quarterbacks, who benefited from his innovative offensive system. Brennan was the poster child for running the June Jones offense successfully. He took over as the team’s starting quarterback in 2005 and promptly threw for 4,301 yards with 35 touchdowns. A year later he would become finish sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting, tossing 5,549 yards worth of passes and 58 touchdown strikes. Brennan also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2007 and ended his college career with 14,193 yards passing and 131 touchdowns. He added 15 rushing touchdowns, as well. June Jones earned a National Coach of the year honor in 1999. He won 76 games with Hawaii and reached six bowl games. He was inducted into the Hawaii Circle of Honor in 2024. At SMU, Jones orchestrated a similar early turnaround, though without the heights he achieved at Hawaii. He finished a six-year-and-change stint with a 36-43 overall record, though he had a 26-22 mark in conference play. Jones continued to coach after he resigned at SMU. He spent time at Kapolei High School in Hawaii, then worked in the CFL, the XFL and the TSL. His last coaching stint was in 2023 for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons.