Hawaiʻi mourns passing of former UH Football Coach June Jones

Former University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa head football coach June Jones died in Oregon today at the age of 73.

“The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department and the entire Rainbow Warrior family mourn” his passing, the school wrote in memoriam today.

According to the report:

Jones’ deep connection to the islands began long before his historic coaching tenure. He first arrived at UH Mānoa in 1973, transferring from Oregon to play quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors. Decades later, he returned to his alma mater. Taking over as head coach in 1999, Jones inherited a team that had gone 0-12 the previous year. In his very first season, he orchestrated the greatest single-season turnaround in NCAAfootball history at the time, leading the Rainbow Warriors to a 9-4 record and an Oʻahu Bowl victory.

Over nine seasons at UH Mānoa, Jones became the winningest head football coach in UH history, compiling a 76-41 record. His mastery of the run-and-shoot offense electrified Aloha Stadium, turning it into one of the most celebrated environments in college football.

The pinnacle of his tenure came in 2007, when he guided UH to an undefeated 12-0 regular season, an outright Western Athletic Conference championship, and a historic appearance in the Sugar Bowl. In all, Jones led UH 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. 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,” the department said in a statement.

Gov. Josh Green issued a statement today saying, “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. (Honolulu Mayor) Rick (Blangiardi) is certainly one of those great people. But 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.”
 
The Governor’s remarks begin at 38:45, here.