Don Jonas
| Date of birth | December 3, 1938 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Scranton, Pennsylvania |
| Career information | |
| Status | Retired |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | QB |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| College | Penn State |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1979–1981 | UCF |
| As player | |
| 1961 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1963–1964 | Harrisburg Capitols |
| 1965 | Newark Bears |
| 1966–1969 | Orlando Panthers |
| 1970 | Toronto Argonauts |
| 1971–1974 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1974 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1971, 1972 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1971, 1972 |
| Awards | 1962 - Atlantic Coast Football League MVP 1966 to 1968 - Continental Football League MVP 1971 - CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award |
Donald Walter Jonas (born December 3, 1938) is a former American football player and coach. Jonas played in the American minor leagues (semi-pro) and the Canadian Football League. He was also the first head coach of the UCF Knights (1979–1981).
Jonas played college football at Penn State University. His first season was 1958, and he did not play (was red-shirted) in 1959. In 1960, as a running back, he ran 49 times for 238 yards (4.9 yard average) and two touchdowns. He also caught six passes, completed 3 of 7 passes, intercepted three opponent passes and returned seven punts. In 1961, he gained 149 yards in 31 attempts (4.8 average) and caught five passes, scoring two touchdowns. He also returned punts and kickoffs.
Proving to be a versatile player, he was drafted by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in the 13th round (182nd overall) of the 1961 NFL Draft. His time with the Eagles was very short. He played in only one game in the 1962 season.
Coincidentally, his Penn State quarterback Peter Liske would also go on to star in the CFL, playing against Jonas and himself winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award in 1967.
Jonas turned to minor league football after his brief stint in the NFL; in the 1960s, the days before big player salaries, this was a viable option for a football player. Both semi-pro teams and the CFL offered Jonas playing time and competitive money.
His career minor league stats were 1032 completions in 2085 attempts for 17,183 yards and 171 TDs and 130 interceptions, with 4 MVP awards. His only weakness was his somewhat low completion percentage. In 1967, the NFL’s Denver Broncos offered him a contract, but it most certainly paid him less than his MVP Orlando salary. And, by the time the Continental Football League folded, Jonas was the over the age of 30, so Canada was his best option.
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