Jump to content

Jimmy Johnson (American football coach): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
m Reverted edits by 103.12.120.55 (talk) to last version by Red-tailed hawk
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown)
Line 29: Line 29:
* 2× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]])
* 2× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]])
* [[AP NFL Coach of the Year]] (1990)
* [[AP NFL Coach of the Year]] (1990)
* [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]]
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1988 Orange Bowl|1987]])
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1988 Orange Bowl|1987]])
* [[Walter Camp Coach of the Year]] (1986)
* [[Walter Camp Coach of the Year]] (1986)
* [[Big Eight Conference football#Coach of the Year|Big Eight Coach of the Year]] (1979)
*[[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]]
'''As player:'''
'''As player:'''
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1964 Arkansas Razorbacks football team|1964]])
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1964 Arkansas Razorbacks football team|1964]])
* 2× [[Southwest Conference|SWC]] champion (1961, 1964)
* 2× [[Southwest Conference|SWC]] champion (1961, 1964)
* All-[[Southwest Conference|SWC]] ([[1964 All-Southwest Conference football team|1964]])
* First-team All-[[Southwest Conference|SWC]] ([[1964 All-Southwest Conference football team|1964]])
|statleague=coaching
|statleague=coaching
|statlabel1=NFL win–loss record
|statlabel1=NFL win–loss record
Line 51: Line 52:
Johnson held his first head football coaching position at [[Oklahoma State University]] from 1979 to 1983. He became Miami's head football coach in 1984 and guided the team to victory in the [[1988 Orange Bowl]]. Following the college championship, Johnson succeeded original Cowboys head coach [[Tom Landry]] in 1989, a position that saw him help rebuild the team back to winning form. His tenure from 1989 to 1993 culminated with the Cowboys winning consecutive Super Bowl titles in [[Super Bowl XXVII]] and [[Super Bowl XXVIII]]. Johnson left Dallas after the second championship amid conflict with owner [[Jerry Jones]].
Johnson held his first head football coaching position at [[Oklahoma State University]] from 1979 to 1983. He became Miami's head football coach in 1984 and guided the team to victory in the [[1988 Orange Bowl]]. Following the college championship, Johnson succeeded original Cowboys head coach [[Tom Landry]] in 1989, a position that saw him help rebuild the team back to winning form. His tenure from 1989 to 1993 culminated with the Cowboys winning consecutive Super Bowl titles in [[Super Bowl XXVII]] and [[Super Bowl XXVIII]]. Johnson left Dallas after the second championship amid conflict with owner [[Jerry Jones]].


Following two years away from football, Johnson returned in 1996 to become the head coach of the [[Miami Dolphins]], where he served until retiring after the 1999 season. Since his coaching retirement, Johnson has appeared as an analyst for [[Fox Sports]] and is one of the featured commentators of ''[[Fox NFL Sunday]]''. He was inducted to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2012 and the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2020.
Following two years away from football, Johnson returned in 1996 to become the head coach of the [[Miami Dolphins]], where he served until retiring after the 1999 season. Since his coaching retirement, Johnson has appeared as an analyst for [[Fox Sports]] and is one of the featured commentators of ''[[Fox NFL Sunday]]''. He was inducted to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2012, the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2020, and the [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]] in 2023.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Johnson attended high school at Thomas Jefferson High School (now known as [[Memorial High School (Port Arthur, Texas)|Memorial High School]]) in [[Port Arthur, Texas]]. In high school he was a classmate of [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]r [[Janis Joplin]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.si.com/vault/1992/09/07/127090/deep-into-his-job-jimmy-johnson-dived-headfirst-into-coaching-the-cowboys-and-he-wont-come-up-for-air-until-he-wins-a-super-bowl | title=Deep Into His Job | first=Ed | last=Hinton | author-link=Ed Hinton (sportswriter) | date=September 7, 1992 | magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>
Johnson attended high school at Thomas Jefferson High School, now [[Memorial High School (Port Arthur, Texas)|Memorial High School]], in [[Port Arthur, Texas]]. In high school he was a classmate of [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]r [[Janis Joplin]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.si.com/vault/1992/09/07/127090/deep-into-his-job-jimmy-johnson-dived-headfirst-into-coaching-the-cowboys-and-he-wont-come-up-for-air-until-he-wins-a-super-bowl | title=Deep Into His Job | first=Ed | last=Hinton | author-link=Ed Hinton (sportswriter) | date=September 7, 1992 | magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>


Johnson played college football as a defensive lineman at the [[University of Arkansas]] between 1962 and 1964. He helped lead the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Razorbacks]] to the national championship in 1964 when he was named to the All [[Southwest Conference]] team. Additionally, he was named to the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Razorbacks]]’ All-Decade team of the 1960s, and was later inducted into [[Arkansas]]’ state athletic hall of fame in 1988, followed by the university's hall of fame in 1999.
Johnson played college football as a defensive lineman at the [[University of Arkansas]] between 1962 and 1964. He helped lead the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Razorbacks]] to the national championship in 1964 when he was named to the All [[Southwest Conference]] team. Additionally, he was named to the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Razorbacks]]’ All-Decade team of the 1960s, and was later inducted into [[Arkansas]]’ state athletic hall of fame in 1988, followed by the university's hall of fame in 1999.
Line 62: Line 63:
==Coaching career==
==Coaching career==
===Early coaching jobs===
===Early coaching jobs===
Johnson began as an assistant coach at [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Louisiana Tech University]] in 1965. During this time, [[Phil Robertson]] of ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' fame was the starting quarterback, and Jimmy helped recruit high school quarterback [[Terry Bradshaw]] from nearby [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]. He then became an assistant coach at [[Picayune Memorial High School]] in [[Picayune, Mississippi]], in 1966. In 1967, he was an assistant at [[Wichita State Shockers football|Wichita State University]], then in 1968 and 1969, he served under [[Johnny Majors]] at [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State University]] in [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]]. In 1970, he moved on to another [[Big Eight Conference]] school to become a defensive line coach at the [[Oklahoma Sooners football|University of Oklahoma]], working under head coach [[Chuck Fairbanks]] and alongside future rivals [[Barry Switzer]] and [[Jim Dickey]].
Johnson began as an assistant coach at [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Louisiana Tech University]] in 1965. During this time, [[Phil Robertson]] of ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' fame was the starting quarterback, and Jimmy helped recruit high school quarterback [[Terry Bradshaw]] from nearby [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]]. He then became an assistant coach at [[Picayune Memorial High School]] in [[Picayune, Mississippi]], in 1966. In 1967, Johnson was an assistant at [[Wichita State Shockers football|Wichita State University]], then in 1968 and 1969, he served under [[Johnny Majors]] at [[Iowa State Cyclones football|Iowa State University]] in [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]]. In 1970, Johnson moved on to another [[Big Eight Conference]] school, to become a defensive line coach at the [[Oklahoma Sooners football|University of Oklahoma]], working under head coach [[Chuck Fairbanks]] and alongside future rivals [[Barry Switzer]] and [[Jim Dickey]].


In 1973, he returned to Arkansas, where he served as [[defensive coordinator]] through the 1976 season. There, he coached such players as [[Brison Manor]] and [[Dirt Winston]]. Johnson had hopes of being named head coach when Broyles retired, but was passed over for [[Lou Holtz]]. Holtz wanted to retain Johnson on his staff and offered him a position, but Jimmy decided to move on and amicably parted company with his alma mater.
In 1973, Johnson returned to Arkansas, where he served as [[defensive coordinator]] through the 1976 season. There, he coached such players as [[Brison Manor]] and [[Dirt Winston]]. Johnson had hopes of being named head coach when Broyles retired, but was passed over for [[Lou Holtz]]. Holtz wanted to retain Johnson on his staff and offered him a position, but Jimmy decided to move on and amicably parted company with his alma mater.


Johnson became assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at the [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|University of Pittsburgh]] under [[Jackie Sherrill]] in 1977 and 1978. There, he coached [[Randy Holloway]], [[David Logan (American football)|David Logan]], [[Al Chesley]], [[J. C. Wilson]], [[Rickey Jackson]], [[Jimbo Covert]] and [[Hugh Green (American football)|Hugh Green]], and was introduced to a Pitt alumnus and assistant coach [[Dave Wannstedt]], who later teamed up with Johnson again at the [[Miami Hurricanes football|University of Miami]], Oklahoma State, the Cowboys, and the Dolphins.
Johnson became assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at the [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|University of Pittsburgh]] under [[Jackie Sherrill]] in 1977 and 1978. There, he coached [[Randy Holloway]], [[David Logan (American football)|David Logan]], [[Al Chesley]], [[J. C. Wilson]], [[Rickey Jackson]], [[Jimbo Covert]] and [[Hugh Green (American football)|Hugh Green]], and was introduced to Pitt alumnus and assistant coach [[Dave Wannstedt]], who later teamed up with Johnson again at the [[Miami Hurricanes football|University of Miami]], Oklahoma State, the Cowboys, and the Dolphins.


===Oklahoma State===
===Oklahoma State===
Line 78: Line 79:
[[File:Reagan with Miami Hurricanes football team 1988.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Jimmy Johnson and the [[1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1987 Miami Hurricanes team]] present [[Ronald Reagan|President Ronald Reagan]] with a [[University of Miami]] jersey at [[The White House]] after winning the [[1987 NCAA Division I-A football season|1987 national championship]], January 1988]]
[[File:Reagan with Miami Hurricanes football team 1988.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Jimmy Johnson and the [[1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1987 Miami Hurricanes team]] present [[Ronald Reagan|President Ronald Reagan]] with a [[University of Miami]] jersey at [[The White House]] after winning the [[1987 NCAA Division I-A football season|1987 national championship]], January 1988]]
{{Main|1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1988 Miami Hurricanes football team}}
{{Main|1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1988 Miami Hurricanes football team}}
In 1984, Johnson was hired by the [[University of Miami]] to replace former coach [[Howard Schnellenberger]] who had won Miami's first national championship in 1983 and departed for the recently formed [[United States Football League]]. Johnson's hiring was met with an initial response of "Jimmy who?" by the fans and media. Johnson started with a shaky 8–5 record his first season, which included a game in which Johnson's Hurricanes blew a 31–0 halftime lead in a loss to [[1984 Maryland Terrapins football team|Maryland]] with [[Frank Reich]] as its QB, and also included a 47–45 loss to [[1984 Boston College Eagles football team|Boston College]] immortalized by [[Doug Flutie]]'s "[[Hail Flutie|Hail Mary]]" touchdown pass on the game's final play. But Johnson developed the Hurricanes into a football program that came to be known as "the Decade of Dominance". In his five years at Miami, Johnson compiled a 52–9 record, appeared in five New Year's Day bowl games, winning one national championship (1987) and losing one to the [[1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State Nittany Lions]] (1986).
In 1984, Johnson was hired by the [[University of Miami]] to replace former coach [[Howard Schnellenberger]], who had won Miami's first national championship in 1983 and departed for the recently formed [[United States Football League|USFL]]. Johnson's hiring was met with an initial response of "Jimmy who?" by the fans and media. Johnson started with a shaky 8–5 record his first season, which included a game in which Johnson's Hurricanes blew a 31–0 halftime lead in a loss to [[1984 Maryland Terrapins football team|Maryland]] with [[Frank Reich]] as its QB, and also included a 47–45 loss to [[1984 Boston College Eagles football team|Boston College]] immortalized by [[Doug Flutie]]'s "[[Hail Flutie|Hail Mary]]" touchdown pass on the game's final play. But Johnson developed the Hurricanes into a football program that came to be known as "the Decade of Dominance". In his five years at Miami, Johnson compiled a 52–9 record, appeared in five New Year's Day bowl games, winning one national championship (1987) and losing one to the [[1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State Nittany Lions]] (1986).


Johnson created a free-wheeling atmosphere where he allowed, and at times encouraged, his players to showboat, trash-talk, and run up the score. He also brought the modern [[4–3 defense]] predicated on athletic upfield linemen to the forefront. The criticism they received from other teams caused the media to deem them the "Bad Boys of College Football", a moniker Johnson openly accepted.
Johnson created a free-wheeling atmosphere where he allowed, and at times encouraged, his players to showboat, trash-talk, and run up the score. He also brought the modern [[4–3 defense]] predicated on athletic upfield linemen to the forefront. The criticism they received from other teams caused the media to deem them the "Bad Boys of College Football", a moniker Johnson openly accepted.
Line 84: Line 85:
Johnson's Hurricanes posted the school's first undefeated regular season in 1986, only to lose the [[1987 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta Bowl]] and the national championship to #2-ranked [[1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]]. The loss, along with losses in Miami's prior two bowl games, began to raise questions about whether Johnson was capable of winning major games. In the ensuing 1987 season, however, the Hurricanes went undefeated in the regular season yet again, and won the school's second national title by defeating Barry Switzer's [[1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma Sooners]] for the third season in a row.
Johnson's Hurricanes posted the school's first undefeated regular season in 1986, only to lose the [[1987 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta Bowl]] and the national championship to #2-ranked [[1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]]. The loss, along with losses in Miami's prior two bowl games, began to raise questions about whether Johnson was capable of winning major games. In the ensuing 1987 season, however, the Hurricanes went undefeated in the regular season yet again, and won the school's second national title by defeating Barry Switzer's [[1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma Sooners]] for the third season in a row.


Johnson also created controversy by allowing the University of Miami to retire [[Vinny Testaverde]]'s football jersey number #14, but refusing to retire [[Bernie Kosar]]'s number #20, though Kosar played one season for Johnson and led the Hurricanes to the national title (the season before Johnson became head coach). Johnson's reason for not retiring Kosar's number was, "Bernie didn't finish the program here (at Miami)." Kosar graduated with honors a year ahead of his freshman class in 1985 with a dual major in finance and economics and subsequently entered the [[National Football League|NFL]]'s supplemental draft. Testaverde won the school's first [[Heisman Trophy]] award in December 1986 and was the first player selected in the [[1987 NFL draft]]. However, as Cowboys' head coach, Johnson later reached out and signed Kosar as a backup QB after Kosar was released by the [[1993 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] during the 1993 NFL season. Kosar played during the Cowboys' Super Bowl run that season while starter [[Troy Aikman]] was injured, clinching the [[1993–94 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: Dallas Cowboys 38, San Francisco 49ers 21|NFC Championship game]] and earning a Super Bowl ring.
Johnson also created controversy by allowing the University of Miami to retire [[Vinny Testaverde]]'s football jersey number #14, but refusing to retire [[Bernie Kosar]]'s number #20, though Kosar played one season for Johnson and led the Hurricanes to the national title (the season before Johnson became head coach). Johnson's reason for not retiring Kosar's number was, "Bernie didn't finish the program here (at Miami)." Kosar graduated with honors, a year ahead of his freshman class in 1985, with a dual major in finance and economics and subsequently entered the [[National Football League|NFL]]'s supplemental draft. Testaverde won the school's first [[Heisman Trophy]] award in December 1986 and was the first player selected in the [[1987 NFL draft]]. However, as Cowboys' head coach, Johnson later reached out and signed Kosar as a backup QB after Kosar was released by the [[1993 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] during the 1993 NFL season. Kosar played during the Cowboys' Super Bowl run that season while starter [[Troy Aikman]] was injured, clinching the [[1993–94 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: Dallas Cowboys 38, San Francisco 49ers 21|NFC Championship game]] and earning a Super Bowl ring.


Johnson was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2012.<ref>[http://www.kwtx.com/_254sports/home/headlines/Former_AM_Coach_R_C_Slocum_Named_To_Hall_Of_Fame_151556165.html Former A&M Coach R. C. Slocum Named To Hall Of Fame] {{webarchive| url=https://archive.today/20120906100725/http://www.kwtx.com/_254sports/home/headlines/Former_AM_Coach_R_C_Slocum_Named_To_Hall_Of_Fame_151556165.html |date=September 6, 2012 }} kwtx.com Retrieved May 15, 2012</ref>
Johnson was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2012.<ref>[http://www.kwtx.com/_254sports/home/headlines/Former_AM_Coach_R_C_Slocum_Named_To_Hall_Of_Fame_151556165.html Former A&M Coach R. C. Slocum Named To Hall Of Fame] {{webarchive| url=https://archive.today/20120906100725/http://www.kwtx.com/_254sports/home/headlines/Former_AM_Coach_R_C_Slocum_Named_To_Hall_Of_Fame_151556165.html |date=September 6, 2012 }} kwtx.com Retrieved May 15, 2012</ref>


===Dallas Cowboys===
===Dallas Cowboys===
In 1989, [[Jerry Jones]], the new owner of the [[National Football League]]'s [[Dallas Cowboys]], a long-time friend and former University of Arkansas teammate of Johnson's, asked him to become the 2nd head coach in franchise history, replacing [[Tom Landry]], who had coached the team since its beginning in 1960. Johnson was reunited with former Miami standout [[Michael Irvin]], and in Johnson's first season as coach, the [[1989 Dallas Cowboys season|1989 Cowboys]] went 1–15. Johnson, however, did not take long to develop the Cowboys into a championship-quality team. Johnson had an ability to find talent in the draft, make savvy trades (namely, the trade of [[Herschel Walker]], which yielded six high draft picks and a number of players from the [[Minnesota Vikings]]), and by signing quality players such as [[Jay Novacek]] as free agents in the age before the NFL had imposed a [[salary cap]].
In 1989, [[Jerry Jones]], the new owner of the [[National Football League]]'s [[Dallas Cowboys]], a long-time friend and former University of Arkansas teammate of Johnson's, asked him to become the second head coach in franchise history, replacing [[Tom Landry]], who had coached the team since its beginning in 1960. Johnson was reunited with former Miami standout [[Michael Irvin]], and in Johnson's first season as coach, the [[1989 Dallas Cowboys season|1989 Cowboys]] went 1–15. Johnson, however, did not take long to develop the Cowboys into a championship-quality team. Johnson had an ability to find talent in the draft, make savvy trades (namely, the trade of [[Herschel Walker]], which yielded six high draft picks and a number of players from the [[Minnesota Vikings]]), and by signing quality players such as [[Jay Novacek]] as free agents in the age before the NFL had imposed a [[salary cap]].


Johnson served as head coach of the Cowboys from 1989 through 1993. He is one of only seven men in NFL history (including [[Vince Lombardi]], [[Don Shula]], [[Chuck Noll]], [[Mike Shanahan]], [[Bill Belichick]], and [[Andy Reid]]) to coach consecutive Super Bowl winners, winning [[Super Bowl XXVII]] in [[1992 NFL season|1992]] and [[Super Bowl XXVIII]] in [[1993 NFL season|1993]] (his team beat the [[Buffalo Bills]] in both Super Bowls). Johnson led the Cowboys to a record of 10–1 in the regular season during the month of December from 1991 to 1993, also leading to a playoff record of 7–1 in those years. Johnson also had a record of 24–1 when running back [[Emmitt Smith]] ran for 100 yards or more in a regular-season game, and 5–0 in the postseason, winning two Super Bowls.
Johnson served as head coach of the Cowboys from 1989 through 1993. He is one of only seven men in NFL history (including [[Vince Lombardi]], [[Don Shula]], [[Chuck Noll]], [[Mike Shanahan]], [[Bill Belichick]], and [[Andy Reid]]) to coach consecutive Super Bowl winners, winning [[Super Bowl XXVII]] in [[1992 NFL season|1992]] and [[Super Bowl XXVIII]] in [[1993 NFL season|1993]] (his team beat the [[Buffalo Bills]] in both Super Bowls). Johnson led the Cowboys to a record of 10–1 in the regular season during the month of December from 1991 to 1993, also leading to a playoff record of 7–1 in those years. Johnson also had a record of 24–1 when running back [[Emmitt Smith]] ran for 100 yards or more in a regular-season game, and 5–0 in the postseason, winning two Super Bowls.


Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones mutually agreed to split due largely to their growing inability to work together. Although Jones had the title of general manager, he had largely delegated control over on-field matters to Johnson. By 1993, however, Jones wanted more authority over the football side of the operation, but Johnson was unwilling to give it up. An incident happened in December 1993, when the Cowboys were getting ready to play the Giants for the [[NFC East]] title, where Johnson had said he was interested in becoming head coach of the expansion [[Jacksonville Jaguars]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/12/31/jaguars-job-intrigues-johnson/ | title=Jaguars job intrigues Johnson | date=December 31, 1993 }}</ref> This led to Jones telling the media that he alone would decide Johnson's coaching future. In March 1994, after the Cowboys had won their second Super Bowl under Johnson, Jones angered Johnson when he told reporters that any coach could have led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl. They agreed to part ways on March 28, 1994, with Johnson getting a $2 million bonus.
Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones mutually agreed to split due largely to their growing inability to work together. Although Jones had the title of general manager, he had largely delegated control over on-field matters to Johnson. By 1993, however, Jones wanted more authority over the football side of the operation, but Johnson was unwilling to relinquish it. An incident happened in December 1993, when the Cowboys were getting ready to play the Giants for the [[NFC East]] title, where Johnson had said he was interested in becoming head coach of the expansion [[Jacksonville Jaguars]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/12/31/jaguars-job-intrigues-johnson/ | title=Jaguars job intrigues Johnson | date=December 31, 1993 }}</ref> This led to Jones telling the media that he alone would decide Johnson's coaching future. In March 1994, after the Cowboys had won their second Super Bowl under Johnson, Jones angered Johnson when he told reporters that any coach could have led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl. They agreed to part ways on March 28, 1994, with Johnson getting a $2 million bonus.


Jones then hired another former Arkansas player, former [[Oklahoma Sooners football|University of Oklahoma]] head coach [[Barry Switzer]], and the Cowboys won [[Super Bowl XXX]] two seasons after Johnson's departure. Notable members on the winning team included Johnson holdovers [[Troy Aikman]], Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Super Bowl XXX MVP [[Larry Brown (cornerback)|Larry Brown]]. However, the Cowboys went into decline after Super Bowl XXX and have not reached the [[NFC Championship Game]] since then.<ref name="Johnson HOF CBS">{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jimmy-johnson-elected-to-the-hall-of-fame-aikman-irvin-and-smith-get-emotional-jerry-jones-reacts-to-news/ | title=Jimmy Johnson elected to the Hall of Fame: Aikman, Irvin, and Smith get emotional; Jerry Jones reacts to news | first=Patrik | last=Walker | date=January 13, 2020 | work=CBS Sports | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>
Jones then hired another former Arkansas player, former [[Oklahoma Sooners football|University of Oklahoma]] head coach [[Barry Switzer]], and the Cowboys won [[Super Bowl XXX]] two seasons after Johnson's departure. Notable members on the winning team included Johnson holdovers [[Troy Aikman]], Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Super Bowl XXX MVP [[Larry Brown (cornerback)|Larry Brown]]. However, the Cowboys went into decline after Super Bowl XXX and have not reached the [[NFC Championship Game]] since then.<ref name="Johnson HOF CBS">{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jimmy-johnson-elected-to-the-hall-of-fame-aikman-irvin-and-smith-get-emotional-jerry-jones-reacts-to-news/ | title=Jimmy Johnson elected to the Hall of Fame: Aikman, Irvin, and Smith get emotional; Jerry Jones reacts to news | first=Patrik | last=Walker | date=January 13, 2020 | work=CBS Sports | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>
Line 99: Line 100:
Johnson was not included on the Dallas Cowboys [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor|"Ring of Honor"]] for many years. Johnson and Jones had appeared to patch up their relationship, such as appearing together on the 25th anniversary of the Cowboys' [[Super Bowl XXVII]] win, and Johnson congratulating Jones on his Hall of Fame induction in 2017.<ref name="Johnson HOF CBS" /> When asked in the summer of 2014 why Johnson was not in the ring of honor despite his two Super Bowl victories as coach of the Cowboys, Jones stated: "Disloyalty ... I couldn't handle the disloyalty."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story?id=11420510 | title=Jerry Football | first=Don Jr. | last=Van Natta | date=August 28, 2014 | work=ESPN The Magazine | access-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref> The Cowboys Ring of Honor has been viewed as the "gatekeeper to the Pro Football Hall of Fame" for Dallas players, coaches, and executives;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/13/dallas-cowboys-jimmy-johnson-jerry-jones-hall-of-fame-ring-of-honor/ | title=Jerry Jones looks super petty now that Jimmy Johnson will be in HOF | first=K.D. | last=Drummond | date=January 13, 2020 | work=[[USA Today]] | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> despite this snub, it was announced in 2020 that Johnson would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Johnson was not included on the Dallas Cowboys [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor|"Ring of Honor"]] for many years. Johnson and Jones had appeared to patch up their relationship, such as appearing together on the 25th anniversary of the Cowboys' [[Super Bowl XXVII]] win, and Johnson congratulating Jones on his Hall of Fame induction in 2017.<ref name="Johnson HOF CBS" /> When asked in the summer of 2014 why Johnson was not in the ring of honor despite his two Super Bowl victories as coach of the Cowboys, Jones stated: "Disloyalty ... I couldn't handle the disloyalty."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story?id=11420510 | title=Jerry Football | first=Don Jr. | last=Van Natta | date=August 28, 2014 | work=ESPN The Magazine | access-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref> The Cowboys Ring of Honor has been viewed as the "gatekeeper to the Pro Football Hall of Fame" for Dallas players, coaches, and executives;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/13/dallas-cowboys-jimmy-johnson-jerry-jones-hall-of-fame-ring-of-honor/ | title=Jerry Jones looks super petty now that Jimmy Johnson will be in HOF | first=K.D. | last=Drummond | date=January 13, 2020 | work=[[USA Today]] | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> despite this snub, it was announced in 2020 that Johnson would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


On August 5, 2021, during the 2021 Hall of Fame Game broadcast on Fox, Jerry Jones announced that Johnson would finally be inducted in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.<ref name="Ring of Honor induction">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31967877/dallas-cowboys-induct-jimmy-johnson-ring-honor-jerry-jones-says |first=Todd |last=Archer |title=Dallas Cowboys to induct Jimmy Johnson into Ring of Honor, Jerry Jones says|website=ESPN.com |date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> The ceremony took place during the Cowboys' matchup against the [[2023 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] on December 30, 2023.
On August 5, 2021, during the 2021 Hall of Fame Game broadcast on Fox, Jerry Jones announced that Johnson would be inducted in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.<ref name="Ring of Honor induction">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31967877/dallas-cowboys-induct-jimmy-johnson-ring-honor-jerry-jones-says |first=Todd |last=Archer |title=Dallas Cowboys to induct Jimmy Johnson into Ring of Honor, Jerry Jones says|website=ESPN.com |date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> The ceremony took place during the Cowboys' matchup against the [[2023 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] on December 30, 2023.


===Miami Dolphins===
===Miami Dolphins===
Line 127: Line 128:


==Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction==
==Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction==
Johnson was surprised during a telecast of ''[[Fox NFL Sunday]]'' by Pro Football Hall of Fame President [[C. David Baker|David Baker]] on January 12, 2020, announcing that he would be the 328th member of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in Canton, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001096234/article/jimmy-johnson-inducted-into-pro-football-hall-of-fame | title=Jimmy Johnson inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame | first=Jeremy | last=Bergman | date=January 12, 2020 | website=NFL.com | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> He personally thanked his coworkers on ''Fox NFL Sunday'', and thanked his players and assistant coaches for their contributions. Following numerous delays due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Johnson was formally inducted on August 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/blue-star/jimmy-johnson-cliff-harris-inducted-into-pro-football-hall-of-fame/2712780 | title=Jimmy Johnson, Cliff Harris Inducted Into Pro Football Hall of Fame | date=August 7, 2021 | website=www.nbcdfw.com | access-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref>
Johnson was surprised during a telecast of ''[[Fox NFL Sunday]]'' by Pro Football Hall of Fame President [[C. David Baker|David Baker]] on January 12, 2020, announcing that he would be the 328th member of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in Canton, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jimmy-johnson-inducted-into-pro-football-hall-of-fame-0ap3000001096234 | title=Jimmy Johnson inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame | first=Jeremy | last=Bergman | date=January 12, 2020 | website=NFL.com | access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> He personally thanked his coworkers on ''Fox NFL Sunday'', and thanked his players and assistant coaches for their contributions. Following numerous delays due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Johnson was formally inducted on August 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/blue-star/jimmy-johnson-cliff-harris-inducted-into-pro-football-hall-of-fame/2712780 | title=Jimmy Johnson, Cliff Harris Inducted Into Pro Football Hall of Fame | date=August 7, 2021 | website=www.nbcdfw.com | access-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref>


==Awards and honors==
==Awards and honors==
Line 149: Line 150:


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Johnson married Linda Kay Cooper on July 12, 1963,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horn |first1=Barry |title=Jimmy Johnson Only Wants Be In Control-Totally |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-09-20-9203260024-story.html |work=The Chicago Tribune |date=September 20, 1992 |access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref> with whom he had two sons. They divorced in January 1990. On July 18, 1999, Johnson married Rhonda Rookmaaker.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jimmy Johnson Weds Longtime Girlfriend |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2660883/jimmy-johnson-weds-longtime-girlfriend |work=The Oklahoman |publisher=GateHouse Media, LLC. |access-date=February 4, 2022}}{{dead link|date=January 2024}}</ref> As of 2010, he lives in [[Islamorada, Florida|Islamorada]] in the [[Florida Keys]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=King |first1=Peter |title=Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson's House in Florida Keys Damaged by Hurricane Irma |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/13/jimmy-johnson-hurricane-irma-florida-keys-house-mmqb |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 13, 2017 |publisher=ABG-SI LLC. |access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref>
Johnson married Linda Kay Cooper on July 12, 1963,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horn |first1=Barry |title=Jimmy Johnson Only Wants Be In Control-Totally |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-09-20-9203260024-story.html |work=The Chicago Tribune |date=September 20, 1992 |access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref> with whom he had two sons. They divorced in January 1990. On July 18, 1999, Johnson married Rhonda Rookmaaker.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jimmy Johnson Weds Longtime Girlfriend |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2660883/jimmy-johnson-weds-longtime-girlfriend |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204053524/https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2660883/jimmy-johnson-weds-longtime-girlfriend |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |work=The Oklahoman |publisher=GateHouse Media, LLC. |access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref> As of 2010, he lives in [[Islamorada, Florida|Islamorada]] in the [[Florida Keys]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=King |first1=Peter |title=Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson's House in Florida Keys Damaged by Hurricane Irma |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/13/jimmy-johnson-hurricane-irma-florida-keys-house-mmqb |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 13, 2017 |publisher=ABG-SI LLC. |access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref>


Johnson owned Three Rings restaurant in [[Miami]] and owns JJ's Big Chill, a bar and grill located in [[Key Largo, Florida]] at mile marker 104. Three Rings was named after the three championships Johnson won on collegiate and professional levels as a head coach. He previously owned a second restaurant under the same name in [[Oklahoma City]], but it has closed. Johnson's fishing boat, docked behind his oceanfront home in [[Islamorada, Florida]], is also called ''Three Rings''.
Johnson owned Three Rings restaurant in [[Miami]] and owns JJ's Big Chill, a bar and grill located in [[Key Largo, Florida]] at mile marker 104. Three Rings was named after the three championships Johnson won on collegiate and professional levels as a head coach. He previously owned a second restaurant under the same name in [[Oklahoma City]], but it has closed. Johnson's fishing boat, docked behind his oceanfront home in [[Islamorada, Florida]], is also called ''Three Rings''.
Line 344: Line 345:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Category commons}}
* {{College Football HoF|2319}}
* {{College Football HoF|2319}}
* {{IMDb name|0425384}}
* {{IMDb name|0425384}}
Line 365: Line 367:
{{Survivor contestants}}
{{Survivor contestants}}
}}
}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Line 372: Line 373:
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football defensive linemen]]
[[Category:American football defensive linemen]]
[[Category:Arkansas Razorbacks football coaches]]
[[Category:Arkansas Razorbacks football players]]
[[Category:Arkansas Razorbacks football players]]
[[Category:Arkansas Razorbacks football coaches]]
[[Category:College football announcers]]
[[Category:College football announcers]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys executives]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys head coaches]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys head coaches]]
[[Category:Fox Sports 1 people]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in Mississippi]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Iowa State Cyclones football coaches]]
[[Category:Iowa State Cyclones football coaches]]
Line 387: Line 390:
[[Category:Oklahoma Sooners football coaches]]
[[Category:Oklahoma Sooners football coaches]]
[[Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys football coaches]]
[[Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys football coaches]]
[[Category:People from Monroe County, Florida]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Key Largo, Florida]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Panthers football coaches]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Panthers football coaches]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Texas]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Port Arthur, Texas]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Port Arthur, Texas]]
[[Category:Super Bowl–winning head coaches]]
[[Category:Super Bowl-winning head coaches]]
[[Category:Wichita State Shockers football coaches]]
[[Category:Wichita State Shockers football coaches]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]

Latest revision as of 05:34, 29 November 2024

Jimmy Johnson
refer to caption
Johnson in 2022
Personal information
Born: (1943-07-16) July 16, 1943 (age 81)
Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.
Career information
High school:Thomas Jefferson
(Port Arthur, Texas)
College:Arkansas
Undrafted:1965
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
As head coach:

As player:

Career coaching statistics
NFL win–loss record:80–64
Postseason record:9–4
NCAA win–loss record:81–34–3
Record at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

James William Johnson (born July 16, 1943) is an American sports analyst and former football coach. Johnson served as a head football coach on the collegiate level from 1979 to 1988 and in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He is the first head football coach to win both a college football national championship and a Super Bowl, achieving the former with University of Miami and the latter with the Dallas Cowboys.

Johnson held his first head football coaching position at Oklahoma State University from 1979 to 1983. He became Miami's head football coach in 1984 and guided the team to victory in the 1988 Orange Bowl. Following the college championship, Johnson succeeded original Cowboys head coach Tom Landry in 1989, a position that saw him help rebuild the team back to winning form. His tenure from 1989 to 1993 culminated with the Cowboys winning consecutive Super Bowl titles in Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII. Johnson left Dallas after the second championship amid conflict with owner Jerry Jones.

Following two years away from football, Johnson returned in 1996 to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, where he served until retiring after the 1999 season. Since his coaching retirement, Johnson has appeared as an analyst for Fox Sports and is one of the featured commentators of Fox NFL Sunday. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, and the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2023.

Early life

[edit]

Johnson attended high school at Thomas Jefferson High School, now Memorial High School, in Port Arthur, Texas. In high school he was a classmate of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Janis Joplin.[1]

Johnson played college football as a defensive lineman at the University of Arkansas between 1962 and 1964. He helped lead the Razorbacks to the national championship in 1964 when he was named to the All Southwest Conference team. Additionally, he was named to the Razorbacks’ All-Decade team of the 1960s, and was later inducted into Arkansas’ state athletic hall of fame in 1988, followed by the university's hall of fame in 1999.

During his time in Arkansas, he played with future Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Coaching career

[edit]

Early coaching jobs

[edit]

Johnson began as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech University in 1965. During this time, Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame was the starting quarterback, and Jimmy helped recruit high school quarterback Terry Bradshaw from nearby Shreveport. He then became an assistant coach at Picayune Memorial High School in Picayune, Mississippi, in 1966. In 1967, Johnson was an assistant at Wichita State University, then in 1968 and 1969, he served under Johnny Majors at Iowa State University in Ames. In 1970, Johnson moved on to another Big Eight Conference school, to become a defensive line coach at the University of Oklahoma, working under head coach Chuck Fairbanks and alongside future rivals Barry Switzer and Jim Dickey.

In 1973, Johnson returned to Arkansas, where he served as defensive coordinator through the 1976 season. There, he coached such players as Brison Manor and Dirt Winston. Johnson had hopes of being named head coach when Broyles retired, but was passed over for Lou Holtz. Holtz wanted to retain Johnson on his staff and offered him a position, but Jimmy decided to move on and amicably parted company with his alma mater.

Johnson became assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh under Jackie Sherrill in 1977 and 1978. There, he coached Randy Holloway, David Logan, Al Chesley, J. C. Wilson, Rickey Jackson, Jimbo Covert and Hugh Green, and was introduced to Pitt alumnus and assistant coach Dave Wannstedt, who later teamed up with Johnson again at the University of Miami, Oklahoma State, the Cowboys, and the Dolphins.

Oklahoma State

[edit]

In 1979, Jimmy Johnson got his first head coaching job, at Oklahoma State University. Johnson coached for five seasons at Oklahoma State, from 1979 to 1983. His tenure there is noteworthy for his successful rebuilding of an inconsistent program. In his final season, he led the Cowboys to an 8–4 record and a 24–14 victory over 20th-ranked Baylor in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.

In 1984, when he was offered the head coaching job at the University of Miami, Johnson was unsure if he wanted to leave Stillwater. His good friend Larry Lacewell told Johnson that if he wanted to win a national championship and eventually coach in the NFL, he had to take the Miami job. Johnson soon after accepted the head coaching job at Miami.

Before taking the Miami job, Johnson interviewed for the head coaching job at Arkansas when Lou Holtz left following the 1983 season, then later found out that Ken Hatfield had already been hired. Upset that Frank Broyles (who by this time was the Arkansas athletic director) made no mention of this during the interview, Jimmy distanced himself from his alma mater. As payback for the snub, a home-and-home series was scheduled between Miami and Arkansas. In 1987, Miami gave Arkansas its worst home loss ever at the time, 51–7.

University of Miami

[edit]
Jimmy Johnson and the 1987 Miami Hurricanes team present President Ronald Reagan with a University of Miami jersey at The White House after winning the 1987 national championship, January 1988

In 1984, Johnson was hired by the University of Miami to replace former coach Howard Schnellenberger, who had won Miami's first national championship in 1983 and departed for the recently formed USFL. Johnson's hiring was met with an initial response of "Jimmy who?" by the fans and media. Johnson started with a shaky 8–5 record his first season, which included a game in which Johnson's Hurricanes blew a 31–0 halftime lead in a loss to Maryland with Frank Reich as its QB, and also included a 47–45 loss to Boston College immortalized by Doug Flutie's "Hail Mary" touchdown pass on the game's final play. But Johnson developed the Hurricanes into a football program that came to be known as "the Decade of Dominance". In his five years at Miami, Johnson compiled a 52–9 record, appeared in five New Year's Day bowl games, winning one national championship (1987) and losing one to the Penn State Nittany Lions (1986).

Johnson created a free-wheeling atmosphere where he allowed, and at times encouraged, his players to showboat, trash-talk, and run up the score. He also brought the modern 4–3 defense predicated on athletic upfield linemen to the forefront. The criticism they received from other teams caused the media to deem them the "Bad Boys of College Football", a moniker Johnson openly accepted.

Johnson's Hurricanes posted the school's first undefeated regular season in 1986, only to lose the Fiesta Bowl and the national championship to #2-ranked Penn State. The loss, along with losses in Miami's prior two bowl games, began to raise questions about whether Johnson was capable of winning major games. In the ensuing 1987 season, however, the Hurricanes went undefeated in the regular season yet again, and won the school's second national title by defeating Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners for the third season in a row.

Johnson also created controversy by allowing the University of Miami to retire Vinny Testaverde's football jersey number #14, but refusing to retire Bernie Kosar's number #20, though Kosar played one season for Johnson and led the Hurricanes to the national title (the season before Johnson became head coach). Johnson's reason for not retiring Kosar's number was, "Bernie didn't finish the program here (at Miami)." Kosar graduated with honors, a year ahead of his freshman class in 1985, with a dual major in finance and economics and subsequently entered the NFL's supplemental draft. Testaverde won the school's first Heisman Trophy award in December 1986 and was the first player selected in the 1987 NFL draft. However, as Cowboys' head coach, Johnson later reached out and signed Kosar as a backup QB after Kosar was released by the Cleveland Browns during the 1993 NFL season. Kosar played during the Cowboys' Super Bowl run that season while starter Troy Aikman was injured, clinching the NFC Championship game and earning a Super Bowl ring.

Johnson was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.[2]

Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

In 1989, Jerry Jones, the new owner of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, a long-time friend and former University of Arkansas teammate of Johnson's, asked him to become the second head coach in franchise history, replacing Tom Landry, who had coached the team since its beginning in 1960. Johnson was reunited with former Miami standout Michael Irvin, and in Johnson's first season as coach, the 1989 Cowboys went 1–15. Johnson, however, did not take long to develop the Cowboys into a championship-quality team. Johnson had an ability to find talent in the draft, make savvy trades (namely, the trade of Herschel Walker, which yielded six high draft picks and a number of players from the Minnesota Vikings), and by signing quality players such as Jay Novacek as free agents in the age before the NFL had imposed a salary cap.

Johnson served as head coach of the Cowboys from 1989 through 1993. He is one of only seven men in NFL history (including Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Mike Shanahan, Bill Belichick, and Andy Reid) to coach consecutive Super Bowl winners, winning Super Bowl XXVII in 1992 and Super Bowl XXVIII in 1993 (his team beat the Buffalo Bills in both Super Bowls). Johnson led the Cowboys to a record of 10–1 in the regular season during the month of December from 1991 to 1993, also leading to a playoff record of 7–1 in those years. Johnson also had a record of 24–1 when running back Emmitt Smith ran for 100 yards or more in a regular-season game, and 5–0 in the postseason, winning two Super Bowls.

Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones mutually agreed to split due largely to their growing inability to work together. Although Jones had the title of general manager, he had largely delegated control over on-field matters to Johnson. By 1993, however, Jones wanted more authority over the football side of the operation, but Johnson was unwilling to relinquish it. An incident happened in December 1993, when the Cowboys were getting ready to play the Giants for the NFC East title, where Johnson had said he was interested in becoming head coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars.[3] This led to Jones telling the media that he alone would decide Johnson's coaching future. In March 1994, after the Cowboys had won their second Super Bowl under Johnson, Jones angered Johnson when he told reporters that any coach could have led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl. They agreed to part ways on March 28, 1994, with Johnson getting a $2 million bonus.

Jones then hired another former Arkansas player, former University of Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer, and the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX two seasons after Johnson's departure. Notable members on the winning team included Johnson holdovers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Super Bowl XXX MVP Larry Brown. However, the Cowboys went into decline after Super Bowl XXX and have not reached the NFC Championship Game since then.[4]

Johnson was not included on the Dallas Cowboys "Ring of Honor" for many years. Johnson and Jones had appeared to patch up their relationship, such as appearing together on the 25th anniversary of the Cowboys' Super Bowl XXVII win, and Johnson congratulating Jones on his Hall of Fame induction in 2017.[4] When asked in the summer of 2014 why Johnson was not in the ring of honor despite his two Super Bowl victories as coach of the Cowboys, Jones stated: "Disloyalty ... I couldn't handle the disloyalty."[5] The Cowboys Ring of Honor has been viewed as the "gatekeeper to the Pro Football Hall of Fame" for Dallas players, coaches, and executives;[6] despite this snub, it was announced in 2020 that Johnson would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On August 5, 2021, during the 2021 Hall of Fame Game broadcast on Fox, Jerry Jones announced that Johnson would be inducted in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.[7] The ceremony took place during the Cowboys' matchup against the Detroit Lions on December 30, 2023.

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

After working as a television analyst with Fox Sports for two years and briefly flirting with an offer for the head-coaching job of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994,[8] Johnson joined the Miami Dolphins in 1996, replacing head coach Don Shula, who retired at the end of the 1995 season. After a below-expectations year for the Dolphins in 1995, capped off by a blowout loss in the playoffs versus the Buffalo Bills, there was a groundswell among Dolphins fans who wanted Shula to step aside in favor of Johnson.[9]

Johnson's tenure in Miami did not live up to expectations. Johnson won fewer games in his first season than Shula had in his final season (8–8 vs. 9–7). Johnson's overall winning percentage at Miami was 55.3% vs. 65.8% for Shula.[10] Brian Billick related a story about Johnson in 2019 when each were broadcasters, with the latter stating his advice of how to not go back into coaching unless one had the passion and proper reasons to do so, since plenty of coaches went back without those reasons. As related by Billick of what Johnson said, “I was one of them. I went back for the wrong reasons. If you go back for ego, if you go back for money, it’s the wrong reason."[11]

Johnson inherited one of the NFL's best offenses, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino; the defense was considered mediocre, though it was ranked 10th in fewest points allowed in 1995. As a defensive specialist, Johnson expected to put together a championship defense. With complete control over personnel decisions, Johnson and his staff signed several excellent defensive players, drafting future Hall of Famers Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, and Pro Bowlers Sam Madison, and Patrick Surtain. But Johnson's brilliant draft record was blemished by several disappointments, including fifth-round pick running back Cecil Collins, and two first-round picks, running back John Avery and wide receiver Yatil Green. The Dolphins finished 8–8 in 1996 and then 9–7 in 1997, losing to the New England Patriots in the wildcard playoff round. In 1998, the Dolphins finished 10–6 with the league's best defense, defeated the Buffalo Bills in the wildcard playoffs, then were crushed 38–3 by the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.

In a 1996 interview, Johnson said he did not feel he could ever reach the stature of Shula or Landry, simply because he did not feel able to stay with the job as long as they had: "26 years or so as a head coach. I don't think I'll make it that long. This is my sixth year as a head coach, and whenever this contract's done, I think I'll probably be done coaching."[12]

In January 1999, Johnson resigned as Dolphins head coach, citing burnout. He reversed his decision in one day, after Marino—with whom Johnson had a strained relationship[13]—pleaded with Johnson to come back. Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga also hired the recently fired Chicago Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt, a former assistant under Johnson both at the University of Miami and at Dallas, as defensive coordinator/assistant head coach.

In the face of Super Bowl expectations, the Dolphins went out and won four of their first five games, with the loss to Buffalo on Monday Night Football leaving Johnson to criticize Marino publicly for his play. Marino suffered a bone spur in his back that knocked him out until Thanksgiving, leaving the team in the hands of rookie Damon Huard. By the halfway point, the Dolphins were 7–1, with Huard losing only once as a starter.[14] When Marino returned with the team at 8–2, he threw five interceptions against Dallas in what became a harbinger for the rest of the stretch, which saw Miami lose five of their last six games on their way to a 9–7 record while the relationship between Marino and Johnson saw the latter described as "vaguely critical" of the former in public.[15] Due to a loss by Kansas City, Miami made it to the playoffs and faced the Seahawks in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Playing in Seattle, the Dolphins rallied late 20–17 to win their first road playoff game since 1972. However, in the divisional round, they were crushed in an embarrassing 62–7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars where they trailed by 41 by halftime. Johnson resigned the day after the game and Marino soon thereafter announced his retirement. Johnson was succeeded by Wannstedt.

In a 2021 interview, Johnson revealed that the Dolphins could have traded for Peyton Manning in the 1998 NFL draft, theoretically offering the Colts their entire draft board in exchange for the first overall pick. Johnson declined to give more details to this trade, with him stating, "I probably gave you too much already."[16] Johnson stated later that one of his biggest disappointments was not having a "healthy Dan Marino", as Marino had ailing knees and a previously torn Achilles to go with a bad shoulder in their final season together.[17]

Television career

[edit]
Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, and Jimmy Johnson in Afghanistan during a taping of the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show, 2009

After leaving the Dolphins, Johnson became a TV studio analyst again for Fox Sports and is currently an on-air staff member on Fox NFL Sunday. He has been assigned as a studio analyst for Fox's coverage of the Bowl Championship Series in January with Chris Rose as the host, and also pens a column on Foxsports.com. In addition he has made several guest or cameo appearances in film and television: as a bearded prisoner in lockup on the television series The Shield, as a guest star in the episode, "Johnsonwreckers" on Coach in 1994, and a cameo in the movie The Waterboy, next to Bill Cowher.

Commercials

[edit]

Johnson endorsements include Procter & Gamble,[18] and a series of commercials for the male enhancement pill ExtenZe in 2010.[19] He was also involved in a South Florida-based scam called The Leading Edge that purported to feature businesses on an "educational" "interstitial" program by that name that would air on public television. Johnson filmed the TV spots, in the style of an infomercial, and businesses were pitched on the program using these clips, which appeared on the website. They were charged an "underwriting fee" of over $20,000 to appear on the show, however, the show never actually would then air. They were not affiliated with PBS and there is no record of any air dates.[20]

Survivor

[edit]

Johnson was one of 20 castaways competing in Survivor: Nicaragua, the 21st edition of Survivor, in late 2010. He is a long-time fan of the show, and had been cast for Survivor: Gabon, which was the 17th edition of the show, but had to withdraw after failing a physical.[21] Johnson, the oldest contestant of the season, was part of the Espada tribe, made up entirely of people aged 40 and older.[22] He was voted out 8–1 on Day Eight of the competition, becoming the third person voted out of the game and finishing 18th overall. As he left the game, he said to his tribe, "One of you, win a million bucks, okay?" However, the season was won by a member of the opposing La Flor tribe. He also said, "I had fun, but I was miserable the whole time. I still love the game, it's been a great adventure, but this is the most stressful time I've ever gone through in my life. And that includes Super Bowls and collegiate national championships. I initially said, 'Keep your strongest members.' I obviously wasn't one of them."[23]

Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction

[edit]

Johnson was surprised during a telecast of Fox NFL Sunday by Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker on January 12, 2020, announcing that he would be the 328th member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.[24] He personally thanked his coworkers on Fox NFL Sunday, and thanked his players and assistant coaches for their contributions. Following numerous delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson was formally inducted on August 7, 2021.[25]

Awards and honors

[edit]

NFL

NCAA

Media

Halls of Fame

Personal life

[edit]

Johnson married Linda Kay Cooper on July 12, 1963,[26] with whom he had two sons. They divorced in January 1990. On July 18, 1999, Johnson married Rhonda Rookmaaker.[27] As of 2010, he lives in Islamorada in the Florida Keys.[28]

Johnson owned Three Rings restaurant in Miami and owns JJ's Big Chill, a bar and grill located in Key Largo, Florida at mile marker 104. Three Rings was named after the three championships Johnson won on collegiate and professional levels as a head coach. He previously owned a second restaurant under the same name in Oklahoma City, but it has closed. Johnson's fishing boat, docked behind his oceanfront home in Islamorada, Florida, is also called Three Rings.

Head coaching record

[edit]

College

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Oklahoma State Cowboys (Big Eight Conference) (1979–1983)
1979 Oklahoma State 7–4 5–2 3rd
1980 Oklahoma State 3–7–1 2–4–1 5th
1981 Oklahoma State 7–5 4–3 T–3rd L Independence
1982 Oklahoma State 4–5–2 3–2–2 3rd
1983 Oklahoma State 8–4 3–4 4th W Astro-Bluebonnet 18
Oklahoma State: 29–25–3 17–15–3
Miami Hurricanes (NCAA Division I-A independent) (1984–1988)
1984 Miami 8–5 L Fiesta 18
1985 Miami 10–2 L Sugar 8 9
1986 Miami 11–1 L Fiesta 2 2
1987 Miami 12–0 W Orange 1 1
1988 Miami 11–1 W Orange 2 2
Miami: 52–9
Total: 81–34–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

NFL

[edit]
Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
DAL 1989 1 15 0 .063 5th in NFC East
DAL 1990 7 9 0 .438 4th in NFC East
DAL 1991 11 5 0 .688 2nd in NFC East 1 1 .500 Lost to Detroit Lions in NFC Divisional Game
DAL 1992 13 3 0 .813 1st in NFC East 3 0 1.000 Super Bowl XXVII champions
DAL 1993 12 4 0 .750 1st in NFC East 3 0 1.000 Super Bowl XXVIII champions
DAL total 44 36 0 .550 7 1 .875
MIA 1996 8 8 0 .500 4th in AFC East
MIA 1997 9 7 0 .563 2nd in AFC East 0 1 .000 Lost to New England Patriots in AFC wild card game
MIA 1998 10 6 0 .625 2nd in AFC East 1 1 .500 Lost to Denver Broncos in AFC Divisional Game
MIA 1999 9 7 0 .563 3rd in AFC East 1 1 .500 Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC Divisional Game
MIA total 36 28 0 .563 2 3 .400
Total[29] 80 64 0 .556 9 4 .692

Coaching tree

[edit]

Eleven of Johnson's assistant coaches became NCAA or NFL head coaches:

Two of Johnson's former players have become head coaches in the NFL:

Three of Johnson's former players/coaches became general managers in the NFL:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hinton, Ed (September 7, 1992). "Deep Into His Job". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  2. ^ Former A&M Coach R. C. Slocum Named To Hall Of Fame Archived September 6, 2012, at archive.today kwtx.com Retrieved May 15, 2012
  3. ^ "Jaguars job intrigues Johnson". December 31, 1993.
  4. ^ a b Walker, Patrik (January 13, 2020). "Jimmy Johnson elected to the Hall of Fame: Aikman, Irvin, and Smith get emotional; Jerry Jones reacts to news". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Van Natta, Don Jr. (August 28, 2014). "Jerry Football". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  6. ^ Drummond, K.D. (January 13, 2020). "Jerry Jones looks super petty now that Jimmy Johnson will be in HOF". USA Today. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Archer, Todd (August 5, 2021). "Dallas Cowboys to induct Jimmy Johnson into Ring of Honor, Jerry Jones says". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  8. ^ "Johnson Staying in TV". The New York Times. December 17, 1994. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  9. ^ Wulf, Steve (January 15, 1996). "Unnecessary Roughness: Legendary Coach Don Shula Resigns Under Heavy Pressure in Miami". Time. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  10. ^ "Hall of Famers Don Shula". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  11. ^ Judge, Clark (June 10, 2019). "What Jimmy Johnson said that persuaded Brian Billick not to return to coaching". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "Face to Face with Jimmy Johnson". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 88. Ziff Davis. November 1996. p. 259.
  13. ^ Pompei, Dan (December 22, 1997). "Uneasy rests the alliance of Johnson, Marino". The Sporting News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  14. ^ "Johnson Cites Marino's Bad Decisions". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 6, 1999. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  15. ^ Battista, Judy (January 16, 2000). "Marino and Johnson: Two Too Numb to Tell". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  16. ^ "Jimmy Johnson reveals that Dolphins could have traded with Colts to select Peyton Manning in 1998 draft". CBS Sports. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Serby, Steve (November 5, 2022). "Jimmy Johnson talks Jerry Jones relationship, Peyton Manning what-if in new book". New York Post. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  18. ^ Bourdett, Paul (September 14, 2009). "5 Quick Questions With Jimmy Johnson". DailyTailgate.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  19. ^ Snyder, Whitney (February 5, 2010). "Jimmy Johnson, ExtenZe Spokesman! Coach To Pitch 'Male Enhancement' Pills". Huffington Post.
  20. ^ Masnick, Mike (October 7, 2014). "Latest 'Pay To Be On 'Public' TV' Scam Involves Football Coach Jimmy Johnson". TechDirt.com. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "Former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson to be a contestant on 'Survivor: Nicaragua'". The Dallas Morning News. July 21, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  22. ^ "Survivor: Nicaragua's Old vs. Young Cast Revealed!". Yahoo!. August 9, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  23. ^ "Survivor: Nicaragua – Episode 3". CBS.
  24. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (January 12, 2020). "Jimmy Johnson inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame". NFL.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  25. ^ "Jimmy Johnson, Cliff Harris Inducted Into Pro Football Hall of Fame". www.nbcdfw.com. August 7, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  26. ^ Horn, Barry (September 20, 1992). "Jimmy Johnson Only Wants Be In Control-Totally". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  27. ^ "Jimmy Johnson Weds Longtime Girlfriend". The Oklahoman. GateHouse Media, LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  28. ^ King, Peter (September 13, 2017). "Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson's House in Florida Keys Damaged by Hurricane Irma". Sports Illustrated. ABG-SI LLC. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  29. ^ "Jimmy Johnson Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
[edit]