Jimmy Johnson announces his retirement from Fox Sports after nearly 30 years as a key figure in its NFL coverage

Jimmy Johnson, the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who won two Super Bowls and a college national championship, announced his retirement from Fox Sports on Monday after being a part of its NFL coverage for most of the network’s 31 years.

The 81-year-old Johnson shared the news during an appearance on “The Herd With Colin Cowherd.”

“The most fun I ever had in my career, that’s counting Super Bowls and national championships, was at Fox Sports,” he said, adding that he enjoyed working with CEO Eric Shanks and Fox NFL Sunday producer Bill Richards.

“But I’ve made an extremely difficult decision,” Johnson explained. “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. I’ll see them occasionally. It’s been a great run starting 31 years ago.”

Johnson worked with hosts Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw and analysts Howie Long and Michael Strahan. Johnson had two stints with Fox, totaling 25 years. He was hired for the pregame show in 1994 and worked there for two seasons before leaving to become the general manager and head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 1996.

Johnson spent five seasons with the Dolphins and returned to Fox in 2002.

“Jimmy Johnson was there when Fox NFL Sunday came on-air for the first time 31 years ago, and since then has been a cherished member of our Fox Sports family, which makes today’s retirement news bittersweet,” Shanks said in a statement. “Jimmy served as an inspiration to generations of football fans with his legendary swagger, one-of-a-kind insight, and signature humor.”

Johnson made the weekly trip from his home in Key West, Florida, to Los Angeles for many years. In recent seasons, he only traveled for weeks when Fox had a doubleheader, working from home for other weeks.

“We caught lightning in a bottle. Chemistry is hard to forecast and duplicate. We came out of the gate at number one and it’s been that way for 31 years,” Long said on the phone. “We’ve grown to love one another. And the thing I go back to is what I said to him as he was walking off the field (at the Super Bowl). I’ve never seen him this happy.”

Menefee said Johnson told him about his decision last week. He added that two years ago, the crew had what they thought was a going-away dinner for Johnson, but he later returned.

“The reason he decided to come back before was because there was hesitation. This time, he was 100 percent confident that this is the right thing for him and his family,” Menefee said. “I think we all hope we get to go out into the sunset the way that we want, and he certainly has been able to do that.”

Johnson won Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys in 1992 and 1993 and the college football national championship with Miami in 1987. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Menefee said the announcement of Johnson’s Hall of Fame induction during halftime of a 2020 NFC divisional-round game is one of the best moments since Fox Sports began covering the NFL in 1994.

“I don’t think there’s anything that we have done in the 31 years of Fox Sports that has been remotely close to that, because I think not only did it mean so much to Jimmy, but you saw how much it meant to the people who care about Jimmy,” Menefee said. “I think everything that Fox Sports is got encapsulated in that one moment for the whole world to see.”

Johnson coached the Cowboys for five seasons before stepping down after winning his second Super Bowl. Three months later, he was hired by Fox as a pregame show analyst. Johnson’s split with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was tense, and it wasn’t until December 30, 2023, that Jones added Johnson to the team’s Ring of Honor. Johnson and Tom Landry are the only coaches in that group, along with 19 players and two executives.

Johnson’s coaching career began in 1965 as an assistant at Louisiana Tech, Bradshaw’s alma mater. He became a head coach in 1979 at Oklahoma State, then moved to Miami, where he went 52-9 and won the 1987 title.

“It has been 17 seasons of fun and laughs sitting next to you,” Strahan posted on X. “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. Hope you enjoy fishing and drinking beers on the boat. You deserve it, love you Coach!”

Johnson reposted Strahan’s message and added, “Michael, going to miss sitting next to you but I’ll be watching.”