ATLANTA FALCONS MOURN FORMER COACH JUNE JONES

Former Atlanta Falcons head coach June Jones died on 29 October after entering hospice care earlier that month. His friend Hal Mumme, a former Kentucky coach, said Jones had received treatment for a tumour in his back. The Falcons said: “We mourn the passing of former head coach June Jones.” The club credited Jones with an impact on the people he coached and mentored.

Jones grew up in Portland and played quarterback at Portland State under Mouse Davis in 1975 and 1976. He joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 1977 and remained with Atlanta until 1981. Across 17 NFL appearances, he completed 75 of 166 passes for 923 yards and three touchdowns. Jones began coaching as an assistant in Hawaii in 1983, then worked in the USFL and CFL. Jerry Glanville brought him to the Houston Oilers as quarterbacks coach in 1987, where he coached Warren Moon.

Jones later joined Davis at the Detroit Lions before returning to the Falcons as offensive coordinator in 1991. He taught Atlanta’s quarterbacks the run-and-shoot offence, which uses one running back and four wide receivers. The Falcons promoted him to head coach in 1994 and dismissed him after the 1996 season, when the team finished 3–13. Jones also spent a year as head coach of the San Diego Chargers, recording a 3–7 record. In its statement, Atlanta offered condolences to his family and friends.