Former University of Hawaii football coach June Jones has been named head coach and general manager of the XFL’s Houston franchise.

”It’s a great opportunity,“ Jones told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser today.

Jones was approached about a month ago. He said he decided about a week ago and finalized the agreement on a two-year contract today.

Jones said he will begin organizational plans in Houston this month. The fledgling XFL will begin its first season in February 2020.

By joining the XFL, Jones is resigning as offensive coordinator of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Jones was with Hamilton for two years. At the end of the 2018 season, Jones volunteered to move from head coach to offensive coordinator.

Jones said the XFL’s season is considerably shorter than the CFL’s schedule. “I can spend six months in Hawaii,” Jones said.

This will be Jones’ fifth head coaching job. Before serving as UH’s head coach for nine seasons, culminating with the 2007 team that reached the 2008 Sugar Bowl, Jones was the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers. He also was Southern Methodist’s head coach.

The XFL has franchises in Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa Bay and Washington DC. The league has secured national television deals with ESPN and Fox.

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