Miami Hires Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson is the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, his mother told the Associated Press on Wednesday night.

Allene Johnson, speaking by telephone from her home in Port Arthur, Texas, said the announcement will be made at 4 p.m. EST today.

“Jimmy is very happy,” she said. “He just loves coaching and he’s very happy to be getting back in it.

“I was scared he might do that - get back in it. But I told him if that’s what he wants, that’s what I want.”

Johnson succeeds Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history, who retired last week after 26 years with the team. He had been widely criticized by fans for the team’s disappointing season.

The hiring was also reported by the Miami Herald, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Boston Globe, Washington Post and ESPN, among others.

A Dolphins representative and a source close to club owner Wayne Huizenga would not confirm the hiring and said they knew of no news conference for today.

Johnson is expected to sign a four- or five-year deal that will average close to $3 million per season, sources said.

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