The NFL world gained one of its most compelling figures on July 16, 1943, when Jimmy Johnson entered the world in Port Arthur, Texas. A coach who left his mark on both college and professional football, Johnson led squads such as the Hurricanes, Cowboys, and Dolphins throughout his career. He is considered to be the third greatest football coach in Florida after Bobby Bowden and Don Shula.
Early life
Growing up, Johnson was a student at Memorial High School — known during his era as Thomas Jefferson High School. Upon graduation, he earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Arkansas, where he suited up as a defensive end on the college's football team. Among the teammates he played alongside were Jerry Jones, Ken Hatfield, and Jim Lindsey.
In 1965, Johnson completed his studies and earned a degree in Psychology. That very same year marked the start of his coaching journey at Louisiana Tech, where Phil Robertson served as the quarterback. He followed that up with one-year stints coaching at both Wichita State and Picayune Memorial High School in Picayune.
Coming to Florida
After spending five seasons as a coach at Oklahoma State, Johnson made the move to Florida in the year 1983 to take the helm at the University of Miami. Leading the university's team, he guided them to a national championship in 1987 with a victory over Oklahoma. It was under his watch that the squad earned the notorious reputation as the "bad boys" of college football. Among the standout Hurricane players he mentored were Vinny Testaverde and Michael Irvin.
Johnson took over as head coach of the Cowboys in 1989, reuniting him with Irvin. His impact was recognized quickly — he earned NFL coach of the year honors in 1990 while still leading the Dallas Cowboys. The team thrived under his guidance, capturing the Super Bowl in 1993 among other matches.
Joining Fox Sports
Following the 1993 season, Johnson parted ways with the team and spent the next two years serving as a TV football analyst with Fox Sports. His departure from the Cowboys was allegedly driven by a strained relationship with owner Jerry Jones.
In 1995, Johnson was coaxed back to South Florida to take over the Miami Dolphins, stepping in as their coach, Don Shula, was retiring. His time leading the Dolphins proved far less successful, though, and he clashed with the team's quarterback star, Dan Marino. The final chapter for both men came in 2000, when they each retired following a brutal 62-7 loss to Jacksonville in a divisional playoff game.
After that, Johnson returned to Fox Sports and never stepped onto the sidelines as a coach again. To this day, he resides in the Florida Keys and operates a bar and a restaurant in Key Largo called "JJ's Big Chill." His legacy was cemented in 2012 when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a head coach.