Jimmy Johnson, the esteemed football coach and analyst, announced his retirement from Fox Sports, marking the end of a remarkable 25-year tenure. A pivotal figure in American football, Johnson made his retirement announcement on "The Herd With Colin Cowherd" on Monday. His departure from the network brings to a close a storied career, not just in broadcasting but also in coaching, where he left an indelible mark on both college and professional football.
Johnson's illustrious journey in football began in 1965 as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech. He rose to prominence as a head coach at Oklahoma State in 1979 and later at the University of Miami, where he led the team to a national championship in 1987. Johnson's successes in college football paved the way for his entry into the NFL, where he achieved legendary status with the Dallas Cowboys. During his five-season tenure with the Cowboys, he secured two Super Bowl victories in the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Despite these triumphs, his relationship with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soured, leading to Johnson's departure after his second Super Bowl win.
Johnson transitioned to broadcasting when he joined Fox NFL as a pregame show analyst in 1994. However, his passion for coaching drew him back to the field as the general manager and head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 1996. After a stint with the Dolphins, Johnson returned to Fox in 2002, becoming a mainstay alongside Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Michael Strahan.
Throughout his years at Fox, Johnson became known for his insightful analysis and charismatic presence. Reflecting on his time at Fox Sports, he remarked:
"The most fun I ever had in my career, that's counting Super Bowls and national championships, was at Fox Sports." – Jimmy Johnson
Johnson's colleagues have shared heartfelt tributes to commemorate his retirement. Michael Strahan expressed deep gratitude for their time together:
"It has been 17 seasons of fun and laughs sitting next to you." – Michael Strahan
Strahan continued, underscoring their profound friendship:
"You're truly one of a kind and thanks for being you and gifting me with one of the best friendships anyone could ever ask for." – Michael Strahan
He also conveyed personal wishes for Johnson's future:
"Hope you enjoy fishing and drinking beers on the boat. You deserve it, love you Coach!" – Michael Strahan
Curt Menefee echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging Johnson's unique contribution:
"I don't think there's anything that we have done in the 31 years of Fox Sports has been remotely close to that, because I think not only did it mean so much to Jimmy, you saw how much it meant to the people who care about Jimmy." – Curt Menefee
Menefee further reflected on Johnson's decision to retire:
"The reason he did decide to come back before was because there was a hesitation. This time he was 100 percent confident that this is the right thing for him to do at this time and with his family." – Curt Menefee
As a testament to Johnson's impact on Fox Sports, Menefee added:
"I think everything that Fox Sports is got encapsulated in that one moment for the whole world to see." – Curt Menefee
In recent years, Johnson adapted his schedule to reduce travel by working from his home in Key West, Florida. He only traveled to Los Angeles for doubleheader Sundays while participating remotely during other weeks. This arrangement allowed him to balance professional commitments with personal priorities.
Despite his acrimonious split with Jerry Jones, Johnson's legacy remains untarnished. In recognition of his contributions, Jones inducted him into the Cowboys' ring of honor on December 30, 2023. Additionally, Johnson's excellence was immortalized with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
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