Legendary, transformative former Rainbow Warriors head coach June Jones dies
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department and the entire Rainbow Warrior family are mourning the death of former head football coach June Jones.
Jones died Oct. 29 in Oregon. He was 73 years old.
“Words can’t express the sorrow I feel today,” said current head football coach and former Rainbow Warrior quarterback Timmy Chang. “Coach Jones was a father figure, a mentor and a visionary who revolutionized the game.
Jones was one of the most towering figures in University of Hawaiʻi and all of Hawaiʻi sports history.
He revitalized the University of Hawaiʻi football program, leading the Rainbow Warriors to unprecedented heights while impacting the lives of countless players.
Jones’ deep connection to the islands also began long before his historic coaching tenure.
He first arrived in 1973 at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, transferring from Oregon to play quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors. Decades later, he returned to his alma mater.
Taking over in 1999 as Rainbow Warriors head coach, Jones inherited a team that was 0-12 the previous year. In his first season, he orchestrated the greatest single-season turnaround in NCAA football history at the time, leading the Warriors to a 9-4 record and an Oʻahu Bowl victory.
Jones became the winningest head football coach in university history throughout his 9 seasons at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, compiling a 76-41 record. His mastery of the run-and-shoot offense electrified Aloha Stadium.
The pinnacle of his tenure came in 2007 when he guided the Warriors to an undefeated 12-0 regular season, an outright Western Athletic Conference championship and historic appearance in the Sugar Bowl.
“We have had some amazing athletes come out of Hawaiʻi and we’ve had some very good athletes that went on to be leaders in our society,” said Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green. “June has put his arms around a lot of people in the state of Hawaiʻi, a lot of players, a lot of businesses — and he was very kind to me, if I may, over the years, reaching out, giving advice to people in different disciplines … he is one of Hawaiʻi’s legends.”
In all, Jones led the university to six bowl appearances, going 4-2 in postseason contests, and two conference titles (1999, 2007).
“The University of Hawaiʻi Athletics ʻohana is deeply saddened by the passing of former head football coach June Jones,” said a statement from the university athletics department. “Coach Jones was a true visionary who elevated the Rainbow Warrior football program to unprecedented heights while serving as an incredible ambassador for the university.”
Jones didn’t just rebuild a program; he restored the community’s pride in Rainbow Warrior football.
“From orchestrating the greatest single-season turnaround in NCAA history to leading [University of Hawaiʻi] to an undefeated regular season and a Sugar Bowl appearance in 2007, his tenure will be forever remembered for the joy the Warriors provided for countless fans throughout the state of Hawaiʻi and beyond,” the department’s statement said.
He also mentored some of the most prolific players in college football history, including Chang, who became the NCAA’s all-time leading passer before following in Jones’ footsteps in 2022 becoming Rainbow Warrior head coach.
“He believed in a young kid from Hawaiʻi and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to run his offense,” Chang said. “And his impact didn’t stop when my playing days ended. He guided me every step of the way as I transitioned into coaching, always making time to share his wisdom and support me when I took over this program.”
Fellow quarterback Colt Brennan earned iconic status setting multiple school and NCAA records during a decorated career that saw him become the school’s first and only Heisman Trophy finalist in 2007.
“He put Hawaiʻi football on the map and showed us all what was possible,” added Chang. “We lost a true legend today, but I will spend the rest of my career trying to honor his legacy, his passion for this university and the aloha he shared with everyone he touched. My deepest condolences go out to his ʻohana and all those who he impacted.”
Jones, Brennan and 2007 University of Hawaiʻi football squad all were inducted into the University of Hawaiʻi Circle of Honor.
“The current coaching staff’s inclusion of several former [University of Hawaiʻi] players, including head coach Timmy Chang, speaks to Coach Jones’ fierce belief in Hawaiʻi‘s talent and potential,” the athletics department statement said. “His legacy is forever woven into the fabric of our university and [University of Hawaiʻi] athletics.”
Memorial services and ways to honor Jones’ legacy will be announced during the coming days.
