Coaches

Jimmy Johnson, only the second coach the Dallas Cowboys have ever had, has large obstacles in front of him: replacing near-legendary Tom Landry, making the often-risky transition from college to professional coaching and rebuilding the team that had the NFL's worst record last year.

Johnson was named Cowboys head coach Saturday night when Jerry Jones, one of his closest friends and former University of Arkansas teammate, purchased the Cowboys from H.R. "Bum' Bright.

"I made it very candid when I first talked with the Cowboys, if I got into football, Jimmy Johnson is coming with me," Jones said. "I think he is the best coach in America. Frank Broyles will tell you Jimmy is the only football player with a genius IQ that he ever recruited at Arkansas."

Johnson accompanied Jones to Dallas on Friday as the negotiations peaked, but Johnson was unavailable for comment on Saturday, but it was clear from Jones' remarks that the coaching staff would be just one of many potential changes.

Miami athletic director Sam Jankovich released a statement in Coral Gables, Fla., to announce Johnson's resignation, but said he would meet with Johnson on Sunday. Johnson will have a news conference in Dallas early next week, but will probably not be in town when the Cowboys have a meeting for physicals on Monday.

Many consider Johnson to be as ready as he will ever be to take over an NFL team without first serving as an assistant.

Johnson's plans for the Cowboys won't unfold until the following weeks, but he'll likely cause major changes in the Cowboys organization. Few on the Cowboys current staff, which was undergoing a shakeup after the team finished with the NFL's worst record last season (3-13), will likely be retained.

A person in Miami's athletic department said three Hurricane assistants are "locks' to go with Johnson. Another person close to Johnson said of the current Cowboys's staff, offensive line coach Jim Erkenbeck, was the most likely to be retained.

Cowboys president Tex Schramm said Johnson wanted it made clear he would interview all current Cowboys coaches before making decisions, but some Cowboys coaches felt their longtime association with Landry and his system would jeopardize their chances with Johnson.

The 45-year-old Johnson will be the NFL's fourth-youngest coach. His rise through the college ranks has been rapid.

Johnson played with Jones under Frank Broyles on Arkansas' 1964 national championship team. He was a defensive coordinator at 25 for Johnny Majors at Iowa State and was an assistant at Oklahoma, Arkansas and Pittsburgh before being named head coach at Oklahoma State in 1979.

After five years at Oklahoma State, he followed Howard Schnellenberger after Miami's 1983 national championship season.

Johnson teaming with Jones, a former roommate, is also a dream come true for the pair.

"I was too greedy to get into coaching," said Jones, a self-made millionaire. "I had to find another way to get into football. ... Jimmy and I used to lay in bed a night (during college) talking about doing something like this. ... Coaching is so lucky to have Jimmy Johnson. I respected him when I was 17-18 years old."

Almost certain to join Johnson's Dallas staff are Dave Wannstedt, Butch Davis and Tony Wise.

Wannstedt recently left Johnson's staff to join the Miami Dolphins, but has coached defense with Johnson for all but two years since 1975. Davis, also a defensive assistant, followed Johnson from Oklahoma State. Miami offensive line coach Tony Wise is also said to be close to Johnson.

Gary Stevens, Miami's assistant head coach, would likely join Johnson as an offensive assistant in Dallas if if he is not named to succeed Johnson.

Other Miami assistants most likely to follow Johnson would be receivers coach Hubbard Alexander and secondary coach Dave Campo, although they might have different assignments with the Cowboys.

However, if Stevens is named Miami's coach several assistants could be promoted and retained under him rather than joining Johnson.

A Miami television station also reported Saturday that Johnson would hire Dolphins quarterback coach David Shula, son of Dolphins coach Don.

The Cowboys had recently hired NFL assistants George Hill and Jerry Rhome to help rejuventate the defense and offense, respectively.

Miami has used a pro-style, short passing offense. Johnson has also used an aggressive, 4-3 defense with an emphasis in man-to-man coverage.

"I think this puts us in the same position as Coach Landry – out," said Jerry Tubbs, Landry's New York Giants teammate and assistant coach for different periods since the team's inception.

Jones said Johnson was eager to coach the Cowboys.

"I can say I wouldn't own the Dallas Cowboys without Jimmy Johnson, but I can't say Jimmy Johnson would be here if it wasn't the Dallas Cowboys," Jones said. "The Cowboys are what Jimmy Johnson is interested in. He's flying high."