Sports · October 29, 2026
Former Falcons, Hawaii and SMU coach June Jones dies at 73
Longtime football coach and former quarterback June Jones died on Thursday at the age of 73. According to reports, Jones had been experiencing health issues this year and entered hospice care two weeks prior to his passing. Known as an early adopter and innovator of the 'run-and-shoot' offense, Jones' career spanned four decades across the NFL, college football, and professional leagues like the XFL. His notable head coaching tenures included the Atlanta Falcons, the University of Hawaii, and Southern Methodist University (SMU).
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- Yahoo SportsSports network
Former Falcons, Hawaii and SMU coach June Jones dies at 73
Read at Yahoo Sports ↗ - NewsweekMainstream
June Jones, former Hawaii and SMU head coach, dies at 73
Read at Newsweek ↗ - NBC SportsSports network
June Jones, innovator of the run and shoot offense, dies at 73
Read at NBC Sports ↗ - ESPNSports network
Longtime football coach Jones, pioneer of run-and-shoot offense, dies at 73
Read at ESPN ↗ - New York PostTabloid
College football coaching great June Jones dead at 73
Read at New York Post ↗ - Fox NewsMainstream
June Jones, former Hawai'i and Atlanta Falcons head coach, dead at 73
Read at Fox News ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- June Jones died on Thursday at the age of 73.
- Jones was an innovator and popularizer of the 'run-and-shoot' offense.
- Jones entered hospice care two weeks before his death.
- Jones served as the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Hawaii, and SMU.
- Jones played college football at Oregon, Hawaii, and Portland State.
Reported by only some outlets
- Jones died in 2026.
- Jones was the head coach at Hawaii from 1999-2007, recording a 76-41 record.
- The Atlanta Falcons released a statement on X calling Jones a 'visionary in the passing game.'
- Jones served as the interim head coach of the Chargers in 1998.
- Jones played four seasons as a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons from 1977-81.
- Jones led Hawaii to an undefeated 12-0 regular season in 2007.
Confirmed
- June Jones died Thursday at age 73.
- He entered hospice care two weeks before his death.
- He was a primary innovator of the run-and-shoot offense.
- He coached the Atlanta Falcons, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, and SMU Mustangs.
Reported
- Jones suffered unspecified health issues throughout the current year. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
- Jones played in 17 NFL games and made five starts for the Falcons. (New York Post)
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