Jimmy Johnson is preparing for another chapter, away from the football field. In an appearance on ‘The Herd with Colin Cowherd,’ the legendary coach and Fox studio analyst announced his retirement, concluding an extraordinary 31 years with the network.
Johnson won the national title with Miami in 1987 and guided the Cowboys to Super Bowl victories in 1993 and 1994, making him the first coach to accomplish both.
Johnson remarked, “As you know, probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my career, and that’s counting Super Bowls and national championships, was at Fox Sports. I have an absolute ball with my friends on the set, and the best friends I’ve ever had there with Fox.”
He further added that he loved working with CEO Eric Shanks and producer Bill Richards. However, this decision has been a very difficult decision for him. His words were, “I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years, and I’ve decided to retire from Fox, and I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss all the guys, and I’ll see them occasionally, but it has been a great run starting back 31 years ago.”
Later, Fox Sports President Eric Shanks acknowledged that Johnson was retiring from Fox. He noted that Jimmy Johnson was there when Fox NFL Sunday started 31 years back and has thus always been a cherished member of the Fox Sports family, which makes the news of his retirement today a bittersweet affair.
He also added, “Jimmy served as an inspiration to generations of football fans with his legendary swagger, one-of-a-kind insight and signature humor.”
The 81-year-old Johnson’s exit doesn’t come as much of a surprise, though, as Fox seems to be ushering in the younger generation after having Olson, Gronkowski, and most recently, Tom Brady in some of the previous seasons.