Jimmy Johnson, analyst on FOX NFL Sunday for nearly three decades, has announced his retirement from FOX Sports. The former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins is a two-time Super Bowl champion and has been a fixture on the NFL pregame show since its debut in 1994. Johnson recently appeared on the pregame and postgame shows surrounding Super Bowl LIX on FOX, and he was honored with a tribute to his football career. Johnson revealed the news of his departure from FOX Sports during a guest appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Monday afternoon.
“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,” Johnson said. “I have an absolute ball with my friends on the set, and the best friends I’ve ever had there with FOX. And I’ll tell you on top of that, I love working for Eric Shanks, our CEO, and our producer Bill Richards, but I’ve made an extremely difficult decision.
“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.”
Starring alongside Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Rob Gronkowski on FOX NFL Sunday, Johnson has been working on the studio program since joining the company after retiring as head coach of the Cowboys. Following a four-year stint where he coached the Dolphins, he returned to the show and has remained on the air ever since. Johnson is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
“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,” Eric Shanks, chief executive officer and executive producer at FOX Sports, 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. From his motivating pep talks to his unmatched energy over the years, he was our coach who always pushed us to be better.
“We’re incredibly grateful for his contributions in making FOX NFL Sunday the top pregame show on TV, where we shared countless memorable moments, highlighted by surprising him live on-air with the news he was being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame – an occasion we will never forget. Coach will be sincerely missed and we wish him the best as he sets sail into retirement, like only Jimmy Johnson can.”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
