Faith, Football, and Second Chances: The June Jones Story
In the world of football, few names are as synonymous with resilience, leadership, and transformation as June Jones. From his storied coaching career to his personal journey of faith and perseverance, Coach Jones has left an indelible mark on the sport and the lives of those he has mentored. In this candid conversation, he reflects on overcoming life-threatening challenges, building winning teams, and giving players a second chance to rewrite their futures.
The Making of a Coach
Before he became a household name in coaching, June Jones was a quarterback with a relentless drive to succeed. Growing up, he was determined to be a professional athlete, but his path to the NFL wasn’t straightforward. Despite obstacles, he sharpened his skills, leading him to play for the Atlanta Falcons and later transition into coaching.
His coaching career took him across college and professional football, with stops in the NFL, CFL, XFL, and at the University of Hawaiʻi. One of his defining moments came when he accepted the University of Hawaiʻi head coaching job in 1999—taking over a team that had just suffered an 0-12 season. Instead of seeing it as a losing program, Jones saw an opportunity.
“Every place I’ve been in the National Football League, they were dead last when we went there. I had great confidence that we could turn it around.”
And he did. In his first season, the team made history by achieving the biggest turnaround in NCAA history, finishing with a 9-4 record and a bowl victory.
The Power of Belief and Leadership
One of the core philosophies Coach Jones instilled in his teams was the power of belief. When he arrived at the University of Hawaiʻi, the players were mentally defeated. They had lost so many games that winning seemed impossible. But Jones knew that success starts with mindset.
“What you say and what you do has to be the same. When you finally figure out that this is what we are and what we’re going to do, we’ll win.”
His unwavering belief in his system and his positive reinforcement approach to coaching set the foundation for his teams to thrive. He emphasized team over self, making it clear that success is about unity, not individual talent.
“Team has to be the reason for success. If it’s me before we, you’ll never be as good as you can be.”
Second Chances: Transforming Lives Beyond the Field
Beyond football, June Jones is a coach who believes in redemption and second chances. Some of his most impactful players were those who had troubled pasts, including Colt Brennan, Pisa Tinoisamoa, and Davone Bess. These players had faced legal issues, personal struggles, and moments where many had written them off—but Jones saw potential where others saw problems.
“Three of my best players were in jail when we recruited them. And they became the best kids that we’ve had.”
Jones’s willingness to believe in people when others didn’t created life-changing opportunities for these players. Under his guidance, they didn’t just become great athletes—they became role models, professionals, and success stories.
Faith and Facing Adversity
June Jones’s journey hasn’t been without its own hardships. One of his biggest tests came in 2001, when he survived a life-threatening car accident. His aorta was torn—a condition that is fatal in nearly all cases. Doctors discovered the tear four hours later, defying medical explanation as to how he was still alive.
“God had something that he was going to do in my life. I didn’t know why I lived through that accident, but I see now that there was more work to be done.”
Through his faith, Jones has remained grounded, even when facing criticism, losses, or external pressures. Unlike many in the public eye, he doesn’t let outside opinions define him.
“My faith is not in talk shows. My faith is not in the people or what they’re saying. My faith is in God.”
A Legacy of Leadership and Inspiration
Whether on the field, in the locker room, or in life, June Jones has remained a leader, a mentor, and an advocate for giving people second chances. His impact goes far beyond wins and losses—he has helped shape the lives of hundreds of young men, guiding them to believe in themselves and take ownership of their future.
His story is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the courage to give others a second chance. And in the end, perhaps that’s his greatest victory of all.
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