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Legendary NFL & College Football Head Coach Dies

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Arnab Mondal | Last updated Oct 29, 2026 9:32 PM ET

Former NFL and college football coach June Jones died Thursday at the age of 73. Jones spent decades around the game as both a player and coach, but he made his biggest splash at Hawaii, where he completely turned the football program around.

He got his start in coaching at Hawaii back in 1983. From there, he worked as an assistant with the Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions before taking the head coaching job with the Falcons. He also led the Chargers before returning to Hawaii in 1999.

Jones coached Hawaii until 2007, putting together a 76-41 record. That run helped him land the head job at SMU, where he coached from 2008 to 2014.

Later on, he took over the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL before stepping away from the sidelines after the 2023 season. Jones left behind a massive legacy in college football, especially with his historic run at Hawaii and his famous Run and Shoot offense.

Fans And Media Members Pay Tribute To June Jones

News of Jones’ death prompted tributes from fans, coaches, and media members who remembered his impact on football. Many praised his work in Hawaii and his role in changing how teams approached the passing game.

“We are saddened to hear the passing of legendary #HawaiiFB Coach June Jones today,” Warrior Access wrote on X. “He is UH’s winningest head coach with 76 wins, the master in the Run and Shoot Offense and a great mentor and teacher of the game. Coach Jones was 73 years old. Rest in Aloha.”

We are saddened to hear the passing of legendary #HawaiiFB Coach June Jones today. He is UH’s winningest head coach with 76 wins, the master in the Run and Shoot Offense and a great mentor and teacher of the game. Coach Jones was 73 years old. Rest in Aloha. https://t.co/rNfnbvks9Y
— Warrior All Access (@WarriorAccess) October 29, 2026

Another NFL voice mentioned Jones’ influence on offensive schemes and quarterback development.

“A pioneer of Offensive Football. The Run & Shoot fundamentally changed the way the Pass Game is taught,” the person wrote on X. “It gave QB’s & WR’s the freedom to adjust routes and find space. I’ll never forget staying up until 2am EST watching his Hawaii teams score 60+ Legend.”

Rest in peace, June Jones. A pioneer of Offensive Football. The Run & Shoot fundamentally changed the way the Pass Game is taught. It gave QB’s & WR’s the freedom to adjust routes and find space. I’ll never forget staying up until 2am EST watching his Hawaii teams score 60+ Legend.
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) October 29, 2026

Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer also paid tribute to the former coach. “June was a one of a kind personality and an offensive genius who had a profound impact on the game. RIP,” Fischer wrote on X.

June was a one of a kind personality and an offensive genius who had a profound impact on the game. RIP.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 29, 2026

Jones made a name for himself coaching several different teams, but what he did at Hawaii was on another level. His 76 wins are still the most by any head coach in the school’s modern history.

His passing is a huge loss for football, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the game for countless players and fans.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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