Hair He Is Again Johnson Assumes Full Control Of Dolphins’ Football Operations

Proclaiming that “whatever the timetable is, it’s not soon enough,” Jimmy Johnson was formally introduced Thursday as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, a job to which he’s been linked since he left the Dallas Cowboys for the television booth two years ago following back-to-back victories in the Super Bowl.

Johnson, 52, will replace Don Shula, who resigned with a push from owner Wayne Huizenga last Friday - the day after his 66th birthday - after 26 years as the team’s coach. Johnson signed a four-year contract that will pay him $2 million per season, making him the highest paid head coach in pro football. He was at his desk in the Dolphins’ Davie, Fla., complex Thursday even before his hiring was announced at a late afternoon news conference.

Miami owner Wayne Huizenga and general manager Eddie Jones met with Johnson for 4-1/2 hours Wednesday and essentially finalized the deal that afternoon. Johnson also was being wooed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but after his session with Huizenga he said he canceled meetings he had scheduled with the Bucs.

Huizenga also said he had been in daily touch about the coaching position with Shula, now vice chairman of the board and a part-owner of the team. He said the former coach “heartily supports the decision” to hire Johnson.

Like Shula, Johnson will have total authority over all football operations, one reason he left the Cowboys following a rift and a serious personality clash with owner Jerry Jones less than two months after the team won its second straight title following the ‘93 season. He’s spent the last two years as an analyst for Fox and HBO.

“I love the competition, I love the discipline,” Johnson said when asked why he was returning to the sideline. “I take tremendous pride in putting a team on the field … that plays with passion. I’m here for one reason - my passion for the game.”

In Dallas, there is already speculation that Johnson will be interested in acquiring several Cowboys. Five players who will start Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers are unrestricted free agents.

Graphic: Jimmy Johnson