Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson is a FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst alongside hosts Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw and analysts Howie Long and Michael Strahan. He is an acclaimed former NFL and college football head coach, winning both the Super Bowl and College Football National Championship.
Johnson, named to the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame’s centennial class, was the architect of the Dallas Cowboys’ consecutive victories in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII, serving as the organization’s head coach from 1989 to March 1994. He was named to the position on Feb. 25, 1989, the day after Jerry Jones, his collegiate teammate, purchased the franchise. After retiring as head coach of the two-time defending Super Bowl Champion Cowboys following the 1993 season, Johnson joined FOX Sports in April 1994 to serve as an analyst on the-then fledgling FOX NFL SUNDAY pregame show, where he remained for its first two seasons. Johnson resumed his role in 2002, following a four-year stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, during which time he led them to three playoff berths. FOX NFL SUNDAY was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Broadcasting Hall of Fame in April 2019.
Johnson is one of only six head coaches in NFL history to guide a team to back-to-back Super Bowl wins, and in three of his final four years with the Cowboys, he was named NFL Coach of the Year by at least one national media outlet. During that time, his clubs compiled a record of 50-22 (.694), and the Cowboys won 39 of their last 50 games (.780). In 1992, he led the team to a franchise-record 13 regular-season victories (tied in the 2016 season) and a team record of 16 wins overall. As head coach of the Cowboys, he posted an overall 44-36 regular-season record and went 7-1 in postseason play.
An alumnus of the University of Arkansas, Johnson signed a four-year contract to become head coach and general manager of the Miami Dolphins in 1996. He succeeded the legendary Don Shula, becoming the third head coach in franchise history. In four seasons at Miami, Johnson compiled a 36-28 record and went 2-3 in five postseason games. He retired from the Dolphins on Jan. 16, 2000, with an 80-64 regular-season record as an NFL head coach and a 9-4 postseason mark.
Johnson moved to the NFL after completing five seasons and a 52-9 record as head coach of the University of Miami, netting two Orange Bowl titles, two No. 2 finishes and a national championship in 1987. He was the first coach, and one of only two in football history (Barry Switzer), to serve as head coach of a Super Bowl champion and a national collegiate champion team.
Johnson’s coaching career began as the defensive line coach at Louisiana Tech in 1965 (Terry Bradshaw’s alma mater). He later coached at Wichita State, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Pittsburgh. Johnson became head coach at Oklahoma State in 1979 and compiled a 29-25 record with two bowl appearances in five seasons there.
As an avid football enthusiast with a deep understanding of the sport's history and its influential figures, I am excited to delve into the remarkable career of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson. My extensive knowledge allows me to provide insights into the pivotal moments and accomplishments that have defined his legacy.
Jimmy Johnson's illustrious career spans both the collegiate and professional levels, showcasing his prowess as a head coach and football analyst. His journey into the NFL coaching realm began in 1989 when he assumed the role of head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, a position he held until March 1994. Johnson's impact was immediate, steering the Cowboys to consecutive Super Bowl victories in XXVII and XXVIII, solidifying his place among the coaching elite.
What sets Johnson apart is his unique achievement as one of only six head coaches in NFL history to guide a team to back-to-back Super Bowl wins. During his tenure with the Cowboys, he garnered recognition as NFL Coach of the Year in three of his final four years, a testament to his strategic acumen and leadership.
His coaching prowess extended beyond the professional realm. Johnson made a significant mark in college football, particularly during his tenure at the University of Miami. With a stellar record of 52-9, he secured two Orange Bowl titles, two No. 2 finishes, and a national championship in 1987. This achievement makes him one of only two coaches in football history, alongside Barry Switzer, to lead both a Super Bowl champion and a national collegiate champion team.
In 1996, Johnson took on the role of head coach and general manager for the Miami Dolphins, succeeding the legendary Don Shula. Over four seasons, he compiled a 36-28 record and added to his coaching legacy with two postseason appearances. Johnson's coaching journey culminated with the Dolphins, where he retired in 2000 with an 80-64 regular-season record as an NFL head coach and a 9-4 postseason mark.
Before making his mark in the NFL, Johnson honed his coaching skills through various positions, starting as the defensive line coach at Louisiana Tech in 1965. His coaching journey included stops at Wichita State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh before becoming the head coach at Oklahoma State in 1979.
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Johnson has seamlessly transitioned into a prominent role as a FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst, contributing his insights and expertise to football enthusiasts. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's centennial class in 2020, Jimmy Johnson's impact on the sport is a testament to his strategic brilliance and dedication to the game of football.
