A Coach With Fortitude

White haired Jimmy Johnson is well known as a FOX NFL Sunday football analyst, working alongside Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Michael Strahan. But his story didn’t begin there. Jimmy began as an assistant coach in college football in 1965, eventually becoming a head coach at Oklahoma State University in 1970. While there, he was noted for his successful rebuild of an inconsistent program. And did well.

Jimmy could have stayed there but would have been stuck. He continued his career as head coach of the Miami Florida Hurricanes in 1984. After a fitful start, Johnson developed the team into a program that came to be known as “the Decade of Dominance.” He created a freewheeling atmosphere where he encouraged his team to show-boat and run up the score. He lived unstuck. In his 5 years there, he compiled a 52-9 record, and after an undefeated season, won a national championship in 1987.

In 1989, Johnson accepted the offer to be head coach of the NFL Dallas Cowboys. He replaced the legendary Tom Landry, who had coached the team since its beginning in 1960. Following in the steps of such a well-known man, Jimmy had his work cut out for him. But he had the ability to find talent in the draft, make savvy player trades and sign quality competitors as free agents. He had an uncanny knack to look at his options and make the right choice. He flourished and was one of only 6 men in the NFL to coach and win consecutive back-to-back Super Bowls.

When a former quarterback was interviewed about Jimmy, he described a coach that was tough on his team. “Yeah, he threw people under the bus. But with him, he needed an 18-wheeler.” This coach had fortitude. He had an unstuck attitude.

I want to have the drive and fortitude it takes to have a winning team. Maybe not an 18-wheeler type of approach but an ability to see into the future and make the right choices. To work hard and engage with life. To challenge myself and live unstuck. How about you? #Unstuck Living

If you fell down yesterday, get up today.

—H.G. Wells