June Jones, Who Revived Hawaii Football, Dies at 73

The man who transformed the University of Hawaii football program into a national power has died at the age of 73. Multiple sources confirmed the death of June Jones on Thursday, ending a career defined by a sudden rise from a struggling team to a conference champion.

Jones served as the head coach at Hawaii from 1999 to 2007. During that nine-year span, he compiled 76 victories, making him the winningest coach in the modern era of the program. His teams played in six bowl games and recorded three seasons with at least ten wins.

The 1999 season marked his most dramatic achievement. That squad posted a 9-4 record and secured a share of the Western Athletic Conference title. The turnaround was recognized as the largest in NCAA history, earning Jones National Coach of the Year honors. In 2007, his team finished the regular season undefeated with a 12-0 record and advanced to the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Jones left Hawaii in 2008 to take the head coaching job at Southern Methodist University. He held that position until his resignation in 2014. Before his final role at the Seattle Sea Dragons, he served as the offensive coordinator at Kapolei High School starting in 2016.

His offensive system produced record-breaking talent, including Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan. Jones coached five All-Americans, 52 all-conference performers, and 16 NFL draft picks. He also spent three years coaching in the NFL. His connection to Hawaii began in 1973 when he played quarterback for the university, and he returned in 1983 as a graduate assistant.