Why did Jerry Jones fire Jimmy Johnson? Feud explained amid Dallas Cowboys documentary release 

The release of the Dallas Cowboys documentary, titled America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, on August 19, has drawn attention to the infamous feud between Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson.

The eight-part documentary, which is now streaming on Netflix, explores their complex relationship and the team's successes in the 1990s. As per USA Today, the docuseries features archive footage from NFL games, and interviews with Jones, former coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer and former Cowboys players like Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman.

During the 90s, the Dallas Cowboys enjoyed tremendous success under the leadership of Jerry Jones. The credit also goes to Johnson, who controlled the football operations, and rebuilt the Cowboys into Champions. Their rift started when Jones expressed his wish to be involved more with the team, while Johnson was unwilling to give up his control. This clash over power and authority ultimately led to Johnson's departure.

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Jerry Jones V/s Jimmy Johnson: Feud between friends turned foes explained

Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson shared a cordial relationship initially. Both of them were former college teammates. Their paths crossed when they were 18 years old at the University of Arkansas, while playing football. Their friendship became strong when they won a National Championship together.

In an interview with Tudum, Chapman Way, co-director of America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, said that after their first meeting, they became partners when Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys. He then hired Johnson as head coach. He said:

“Then, Jerry strikes liquid gold [oil], makes $100 million, buys the Dallas Cowboys, and takes this massive risk in hiring his college buddy who had never coached a game in the NFL to come join him on this ride.”

Their partnership led to back-to-back Super Bowl victories in the early 1990s. Johnson helped his team to win two Lombardi Trophies, as per Sporting News.

However, by the fifth season under Jones' ownership, he began to assert more control over football operations, which increasingly limited Jimmy Johnson's authority as head coach. This led to a rift between the two friends-turned-partners, which cost Johnson his job.

In a 2016 interview with Texas A&M radio station KTCK, Jerry Jones admitted that his involvement was to blame for the end of Johnson’s career. In his statement, which was reported by Sporting News, he said:

“I lost my tolerance for a lot of things. I probably should have had a little more tolerance with Jimmy Johnson. Seriously.”

The duo parted ways in March 1994, after Jerry Jones told the reporters during the NFL owners meeting that "500 coaches" could have coached the Cowboys. However, after years of feuding, the two finally made peace when Johnson was officially put in the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2023.

The event marked the reconciliation between the former college team players and business partners. He was introduced by Jones with a heartfelt speech, he said –

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“Not only did you inspire your players, and certainly you inspired our fans, but you need to hear how much you personally inspired me.”

In his response, Johnson thanked his assistant coaches, players, Cowboys fans, and Jones.

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