Jimmy Johnson says this is first time money put into Miami football

In a wide-ranging interview with the Miami Herald on Saturday, Miami football legend Jimmy Johnson said money is being put into the Hurricanes program for the first time ever. Johnson stated that he visited Coral Gables on Saturday morning before throwing out the first pitch at the Marlins game in the afternoon.

Johnson had a 52-9 record from 1984 through 1988 at Miami. In his final four years, Miami finished 44-4 and won the 1987 National Championship. Johnson left Miami for the Dallas Cowboys where he won two Super Bowls during a Hall of Fame coaching career. Johnson also coached the Dolphins.

Johnson has stayed connected to the Miami football program since retiring from the Dolphins following the 1999 season. After his retirement from the Dolphins, Johnson has been a commentator on the Fox NFL Sunday pre-game show. In the last few seasons, Johnson has mostly appeared on Fox remotely.

Johnson told Jordan McPherson of the Herald that will appear in the studio on Fox NFL Sunday during doubleheaders and when they travel to Doha, Qatar. Johnson observed a Mario Cristobal Miami practice for the first time. Johnson recruiter Cristobal to Miami and coached him in his first season.

"“I went by and saw Mario this morning. They had a walkthrough and have a scrimmage tonight. I stopped in and talk to Alonzo Highsmith for a few minutes and talked to Mario. Obviously, it comes down to money. And for the first time ever, even going back to when I was here, for the first time ever, they put money into the program.It’s allowed him to get as quality of a coaching staff as I’ve seen since my guys. Obviously, facilities to where they can compete with recruiting guys. Them hiring Mario, I’m excited. I haven’t been as excited for UM ever as what I am right now.”"

Highsmith who was a Hurricanes star from 1983 through 1986 and became the Miami General Manager of Football Operations about a month after Cristobal was hired last December. Saturday will be the first scrimmage of August training camp. Cristobal has been praised for hiring an exceptional staff.

The infusion of money has also allowed Cristobal and new athletic director Dan Radakovich to lead Miami to upgrade facilities throughout the athletic department. The hiring of Cristobal has created excitement throughout the Miami football diaspora and allowed Miami to become a leader in securing name, image and likeness deals.

Miami alum John Ruiz has led the charge for Miami with NIL. Ruiz will help lead Maimi into the future. Johnson led an exceptional coaching staffs at Miami that had several of his assistants become head coaches in college and the NFL. Currently Miami co-defensive coordinators Kevin Steele and Charlie Strong have been head coaches.

Some of the younger Miami assistant coaches like offensive coordinator John Gattis will have opportunities to become head coaches in the future. Cristobal has assembled a staff of elite coaches and recruiters to help elevate the Miami football program. Keeping Johnson involved unites the past and the present.