Former Arkansas Razorback And a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach and national champion, has officially announced his retirement from Fox Sports. After 31 years as part of the network’s NFL coverage, He shared the news on Monday during “The Herd With Colin Cowherd.”
Reflecting on his time at Fox, He described it as the most enjoyable period of his career, even surpassing his Super Bowl and national championship victories. He expressed gratitude toward CEO Eric Shanks and Fox NFL Sunday producer Bill Richards while admitting the decision to step away was not easy. “I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years, and I’ve decided to retire from Fox. I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss all the guys,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s football journey began long before his broadcasting career. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, he played as a defensive lineman for the University of Arkansas, helping the Razorbacks win the 1964 national championship. Notably, he was teammates with Jerry Jones, who would later own the Dallas Cowboys and play a pivotal role in Johnson’s coaching career.
Johnson entered coaching in 1965 as an assistant at Louisiana Tech before securing his first head coaching role at Oklahoma State in 1979. However, his career-defining moment came in 1984 when he became head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, leading them to a national championship in 1987 with an impressive 52-9 record.
Building a Dynasty with the Cowboys
In 1989, Johnson was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys under owner Jerry Jones. He quickly transformed the struggling franchise into a dominant force, leading the team to consecutive Super Bowl titles in the 1992 and 1993 seasons. With a 44-36 record during his tenure, he was named the 1990 AP NFL Coach of the Year.
After leaving the Cowboys, Johnson had a brief stint with Fox Sports before returning to coaching with the Miami Dolphins in 1996. He led the team until 1999 before stepping away from coaching for good and rejoining Fox Sports full-time.
An Icon in Sports Broadcasting
Johnson’s return to Fox Sports in 1999 marked the beginning of an incredible 31-year career as an analyst. Working alongside Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Michael Strahan, he became a beloved figure known for his football expertise, humor, and engaging personality.
One of his most memorable broadcasting moments occurred in 2020 when he was surprised on live television with news of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Fox Sports host Curt Menefee called it one of the greatest moments in the network’s history.
After an illustrious career spanning coaching and broadcasting, Johnson’s retirement marks the end of an era.