2019 special Pro Football Hall of Fame Class for Miami Hurricanes
Johnson’s final year a loss to Notre Dame in South Bend cost the Miami Hurricanes another National Championship. A controversial Cleveland Gary fumble was ultimately the difference between Miami’s second National Championship in a row and an ultimately meaningless Orange Bowl win over Nebraska.
The Hurricanes did finish the season ranked second. That was the third year in a row Johnson led the Hurricanes to a top two season at the end of the year.
Johnson would be tabbed by Jones to coach the Cowboys after firing legendary Head Coach Tom Landry following the 1988 season. Johnson finished his tenure at Miami 52-9 with one National Championship.
His career with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins is what has him being considered for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson joined Dallas with a familiar face already there, Michael Irvin. Johnson had the toughest year of his career in his first season in Dallas. The Cowboys finished 1-15.
Dallas improved to 7-9 in Johnson’s second season and made began a three-year run under Johnson making the playoffs. The earned a Wildcard in 1991 and defeated the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field before getting blown out by the Detroit Lions.
The following season Dallas finished 13-3 and won their first Superbowl in 15 years. Dallas repeated their title in 1993. Johnson and Jones had a falling out after the season and Johnson left the Cowboys. In five seasons in Dallas, Johnson went 44-36, won two NFC East, NFC and Superbowl titles during his tenure with America’s team.