June Jones, run-and-shoot football innovator, dies at 73

June Jones, the coach who brought the run-and-shoot offense to Hawaii and led the Rainbow Warriors to their greatest era, died on Thursday at age 73. Hawaii's football program announced his death in a statement but did not list a cause.

A close family friend told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that Jones had entered hospice care two weeks ago in his native Oregon. Jones previously coached the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons in the 1990s.

“Coach Jones was a father figure, a mentor, and a visionary who revolutionized the game.”

Jones played quarterback in college at three schools, including Hawaii, but his decision to transfer to Portland State shaped his career. There he played under Mouse Davis, who helped bring the run-and-shoot offense to major football.

The offense featured four receivers who adjusted routes on the fly, rarely ran the ball, and moved quickly. Coaches such as Jerry Glanville and Wayne Fontes also used the system, though Jones may have had the most success with it.

After serving as an assistant with the Houston Oilers in 1987, Jones joined Glanville with the Falcons in 1991 and took over when Glanville was fired. With quarterback Jeff George, Jones briefly thrived and took Atlanta to one playoff trip.

Current Hawaii coach Timmy Chang called Jones a father figure, mentor, and visionary who revolutionized the game. Chang set the NCAA career passing yardage record under Jones, a mark that has since been broken.

The Falcons described Jones in a statement as a visionary in the passing game. Jones's time with Atlanta ended after three years when he was fired.