Coach Jones Critical

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/19/1997 at 12:00 AM EDT

Hawaii football coach June Jones, 48, is reportedly improving, but is still in critical condition, after the former NFL quarterback drove into a concrete pillar on a freeway near Honolulu International Airport on Thursday. Doctors at the Queen's Medical Center said Jones's condition stabilized after surgery to his abdomen and chest, and a CAT scan showed his brain to be functioning normally despite what police said was a major head injury, reports the Associated Press. Jones became an island hero two years ago when he said no to a multimillion-dollar contract to continue coaching the San Diego Chargers in favor of taking up the coaching job at his alma mater, Hawaii.