From Coral Gables To Canton

The following is from an article at hurricanesports.com. Click to read more:

https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/06/30/from-coral-gables-to-canton-jimmy-johnsons-journey/

But, those issues were resolved in short order, with the Hurricanes posting a 10-2 record in Johnson’s second season, an 11-1 mark his third season, and Miami winning its second national title four years into Johnson’s tenure.

During that remarkable run, Johnson filled Miami’s roster with a plethora of talented playmakers and the Hurricanes played a competitive schedule against a series of top-10 teams.

The coach says it was then that he learned to trust his instincts, especially when it came to evaluating players. But it was a disappointing showing against Penn State in the infamous 1987 Fiesta Bowl that forced Johnson to take a hard look at how he was approaching the game.

“In some ways, it was a little bit easy the first few years and I probably got a little bit overconfident that third year when we went through and had a chance to win the national championship and didn’t do it,” Johnson said. “We came up short in the Fiesta Bowl and it was probably the most devastating loss I’d ever had in my career, college or pro.

“It made me step back and realize I’ve got to take care of the small things. I can’t overlook anything. We always have to be aggressive. No lead is safe. That’s why people accused me of running up the score on teams, but I was never going to take a chance on losing a ball game. We played hard for 60 minutes in every game, regardless of the opponent, regardless of the score. It made me a better coach. It really prepared me for the NFL.”

In the NFL, Johnson eventually posted an 80-64 record in nine seasons. He led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl titles and was recognized in 1990 as the Associated Press Coach of the Year.

He became the first of just three coaches to have led a team to both a Super Bowl win and a college national championship, with Barry Switzer and Pete Carroll later joining that elite fraternity.

For years, football fans – and Johnson’s former players, too – wondered when he’d finally get the call from Canton.

It came in January when David Baker, the President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, surprised Johnson and his NFL on Fox co-hosts during halftime of the NFC divisional round playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers.

The emotional moment left the charismatic and gregarious Johnson in tears. Now, five months later, with his induction ceremony postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that day has become even more special.

“To be honest with you, I’ve had the moment,” said Johnson, who is already a member of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. “Just going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, that was the moment. Anything else after that is more for the fans and for the people that helped me get to that point. It’s really spending time with them and letting them enjoy it. But I’ve had my moment. My moment came when they said, ‘You’re in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’”

Comments

[Old Skool]

In honor of Solar ... Bam

[Old Skool]

Old Skool and I are up at the same time? No way!

Posted by: 58 Straight | July 04, 2020 at 04:26 AM

Combine insomnia, a work deadline and the occasional firework set off by neighbors wanting to be the first to start off the Fourth of July and I get to say hello to my old friend the dawn.

[HerbieIbis]

Good coaches need a little bit of arrogance.
Happy 4th to all Spacers.

[CGNC]

Love JJ!! Happy 4th Spacers!

[86Cane]

The cover photo that accompanies this article from UM Athletics is interesting:

https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/07/03/bonds-bring-cross-to-canes/

Posted by: 58 Straight | July 04, 2020 at 04:31 AM

[AeroCane]

Love the article and of course jimmy!
Happy 4th and be well!

[TonyCane]

Happy 4th everyone!

[The wordFromTheHerb]

After pouring through some articles about recruiting, it appears that Manny has at least got us in position with several key players.
Now the hard part, Winning!
DT Mason Smith from Louisanna has us in his top 5. A long shot yes but likes are defensive scheme best.
DT Leonard Taylor, down to us and Gators. Have to win to get him.
Ath. James William's, between us and Georgia.
Those are all 5 star dudes.
Savion Collins, from what I can decipher may get pushed out but if not for his mom, he would already be a Gator.
Kinchens announces Next Saturday, between us and Auburn. Crystal ball has us leading. Some have said he is better than William's at safety.
William's will probably end up at DE.
Jabari Ishmeal is between us and Oregon as of right now. Dad works at the U.
Chase Smith, Willie Smith's kid is also crystal balled to Da U.
They are looking to add one more CB, Duece Chestnut appears who they are after and we are in his top 8.
They are likely to add one more WR. In the end I think it will be Yulkieth Brown. Were on Malik Nabores but he has cooled on us.
Thomas Davis, DE from Georgia, has us and So. Carolina in his final 2.
Hopefully this season can get going but looking more and more doubtful of starting on time.
Could be a special year, especially winning, which could bear us some sweet fruit.
Final word about the QB situation, still hounding Garcia and are looking at a kid that has a baseball ship to play at Florida.
Raw as a carrot but was invite to the elite 11.
Florida doesn't want him for football. Miami has yet to offer but evaluating him and would let him do both.
I think the dudes name is Jay Allen.
If we take 2 Rb's the other would be Amari Daniel's but that is a big maybe.
Good Day!

[AeroCane]

Nice summary herb!
Thx

[KYcane]

Herb

Thanks for keeping us posted on the recruiting side of things.

[KYcane]

Hey Roach

In your tennis travels, did you ever run into the pro for the city of longboat key? The guy’s name was David.

[roachcane77]

Hey Roach
In your tennis travels, did you ever run into the pro for the city of longboat key? The guy’s name was David.
Posted by: KYcane | July 06, 2020 at 09:59 AM

Sorry for the delay KYcane. No... Longboat Key is quite a bit north of me, and kind of it's own little enclave. Most of MY tennis connections are related to 40 years of coaching high school tennis in SW Fl, and unless he coached a high school team, I probably wouldn't have run in to him.

[KYcane]

Posted by: roachcane77 | July 06, 2020 at 09:06 PM

No sweat my good man

I was contacted about a 45 year HS reunion and was told I guy I played ball with had just retired as LBK pro - thought maybe you had crossed paths if your squad ever played there.

[AeroCane]

What’s up canespace friends?

[HerbieIbis]

Where u been Aero?
The Herb is heading to da beach tomorrow.

[TheHerb]

If da breaks aren't slammed on this dam pandemic pretty soon, football won't start on time.

[DallasTX Cane]

In these days of no sports and endless woe, it is nice to come home to a safe familiar corner of the Internet. How are all U Canespacers?!?

Taking a bow for JJ. Love U Coach!

Hope everyone is alright. There’s talk of moving foosball to spring out here, just a little... not much not too loud... but still... wish I could get excited for the fall. Should be as it’s a make or break season for ole Manny or it sure feels that way. But I’m not seeing a season happening. Hope I’m wrong!

[AeroCane]

Enjoy the beach herb! Be safe! This craziness is still all around!
Dallas, I’m in agreement with you - need a season and manny needs to WIN and win ‘fun’ on offense! With wins, we WILL get some top guys! But to win, we need a season!

[86Cane]

Hoping for college football this year.

Heard a report about a national survey of fans about the NFL that 64% were considering boycotting the NFL this year. Doubt that is actually going to happen but it will be interesting to see what does happen with ALL major sports leagues going forward.

QB Mahomes just got a new 10 year contract at $500 million. Not sure many people can relate to that with all that is going on? Not sure it is a wise bet by the Chiefs either. Revenues could decline over next few years and that is a chunk of change to be dropping with all the uncertainty.

[roachcane77]

Ivy League cancelling ALL all Sports, including football. (Possibly moving some to the Spring... )

[orange 'n green in the vein]

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29434331/acc-delay-all-fall-sports-least-sept-1

Risk nothing, and your reward is zero.

Also hotseat rankings show the over-promoted Peter principle defensive coordinator better run the conference table which gets less likely without the traditional college 'preseason' of glorified scrimmages;

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2020-hot-seat-rankings-11-college-football-coaches-with-their-jobs-on-the-line-this-season/

Went from ranked "safe and secure" to "start improving now" faster than you can say 'lost to Butch Davis' FIU at the site of the old Orange Bowl,' imagine that!

[roachcane77]

Just saw THIS pop up... one LESS game...

According to Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, the Big Ten conference is planning to play a conference-only football schedule this fall.
The Big Ten is expected to announce its plans on Thursday afternoon.
This impacts the University of Miami football schedule with the Hurricanes expected to take a trip to East Lansing to play Michigan State on September 26th.

[Old Skool]

ACC now expected to play conference only this year as per SI

In other news ..

Florida State’s athletic department and the Seminole Boosters laid off employees on Thursday, the school confirmed.

“We have eliminated some positions within both Athletics and Seminole Boosters,” FSU said in a statement. “Out of respect for our employees who have just been notified, we will not comment on this matter until some time (Friday).”

Warchant reported that up to 25 positions were being cut.

The Seminoles’ financial situation had been choppy for several years, including a multi-million-dollar deficit in the 2018 fiscal year. FSU had been trimming costs, including reduced travel. And that was before the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

[86Cane]

Went from ranked "safe and secure" to "start improving now" faster than you can say 'lost to Butch Davis' FIU at the site of the old Orange Bowl,' imagine that!

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | July 09, 2020 at 12:26 PM

OGV...you have said a LOT of crazy things here on the blog but this one takes the cake! It is completely IMPOSSIBLE that Miami could have lost to FIU last year or any year ever? Take it back!

[86Cane]

ACC now expected to play conference only this year as per SI

Posted by: Old Skool | July 09, 2020 at 05:58 PM

According to Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, the Big Ten conference is planning to play a conference-only football schedule this fall.

Posted by: roachcane77 | July 09, 2020 at 03:27 PM

Please tell me which blogger here announced in writing and predicted more than two months ago that this would happen this year?

[SirHerbertOfIbis]

Dam,
Just got the words out of my mouth last night and read today, where ACC games only.
The Herb can see into Da futcha!
No cupcakes!
Better warm the motor up quick.
We needed a couple of cupcakes to get stuff in sink.
Will have to learn on the fly.
Couple big times cruits hang in the balance on the win loss record. No room for error.
No excuse now about a long season. Everybody needs to bring it. No coasting for those that have them NFL aspirations.

Don't care about the Not For Long league.
Since those Boyz want to bring politics to the game. U getting paid get loot. Last time I looked ain't nobody getting dissed on the field.

[roachcane77]

Please tell me which blogger here announced in writing and predicted more than two months ago that this would happen this year?
Posted by: 86Cane | July 09, 2020 at 06:24 PM

Hmmm... WHOM could THAT be?
Does his name rhyme with Boop? 😂

[86Cane]

NEW BLOG IS UP!