Synopsis
Turning the Thing Around: Pulling America's Team Out of the Dumps and Myself Out of the Doghouse by Jimmy Johnson, co-written with Ed Hinton, is an outspoken and candid autobiography that chronicles the legendary coach's journey from his humble beginnings in Port Arthur, Texas, to becoming one of the most successful figures in American football history. Born in 1943, Johnson grew up in a working-class environment, playing football at Thomas Jefferson High School alongside future rock icon Janis Joplin, before earning All-American honors as a defensive lineman at the University of Arkansas under coach Frank Broyles. The book opens with reflections on his early life and the influences that shaped his relentless work ethic, including his transition into coaching after a brief stint in business, starting as a graduate assistant at Arkansas and moving through various assistant roles at colleges like Wichita State, Iowa State, and Arkansas once more. Johnson's narrative is infused with his no-nonsense philosophy on coaching, emphasizing psychology, team-building from scratch, and pushing players to their limits, often at great personal cost to his own life and relationships, as he admits to a workaholic lifestyle that strained his marriage and family.
A significant portion of the memoir delves into Johnson's transformative tenure at Oklahoma State University from 1979 to 1983, where he turned around a struggling program amid controversies, including an NCAA investigation that led to his departure, and then his explosive success at the University of Miami from 1984 to 1988. At Miami, he built the Hurricanes into a powerhouse, winning the 1987 national championship and cultivating a reputation for aggressive, fast-paced football that earned him the nickname of the "black hat" coach for his intimidating style. The book provides behind-the-scenes insights into the rivalries with teams like Florida State, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma, as well as the intense recruiting battles and on-field strategies that defined his college career, including memorable games like the "Catholics vs. Convicts" showdown against Notre Dame. Johnson is unapologetic about the criticisms leveled at his Miami teams for their perceived arrogance and disciplinary issues, offering his perspective on how he instilled discipline while fostering a winning mentality, and he shares anecdotes of late-night partying with fellow coaches like Barry Switzer to highlight the high-stakes, high-pressure world of college football.
The heart of the book, however, focuses on Johnson's move to the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, recruited by longtime friend and owner Jerry Jones to revive "America's Team" after a dismal 1-15 season that had left the franchise in disarray. Johnson recounts the infamous "Mia's Night" meeting at a Dallas Mexican restaurant where he and Jones mapped out their vision for rebuilding, leading to a complete overhaul of the roster through savvy drafts, trades—including the infamous "great train robbery" acquisition of key players—and free-agent signings that assembled a dynasty. He details the grueling preparation for preparation, the psychological tactics to maximize player potential, and the total chemistry he built among stars like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, culminating in back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1993 (Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills) and 1994 (Super Bowl XXVIII against the Bills again). The narrative captures the highs of those triumphs, with Johnson expressing absolute confidence going into the games, as well as the lows, such as officiating controversies and internal battles, all while addressing his own "doghouse" status with fans and media due to his brash personality and decisions like cutting underperforming players.
Throughout, Johnson weaves in personal vulnerabilities, admitting the toll of his success on his personal life, including his orchestrated split from Jones amid ego clashes, and reflecting on life lessons applicable beyond football, such as perseverance, positive sincerity, and adjusting strategies on the fly. The revised edition extends coverage to the 1993-94 season, providing an insider's view of the Cowboys' dominance and Johnson's decision to walk away at the peak, forgoing a potential third straight Super Bowl. While some critics note the absence of deeper dives into certain rivalries like the "Bounty Bowls" with the Philadelphia Eagles or more game-specific breakdowns, the book is praised for its straightforward, self-deprecating humor, locker-room stories, and motivational insights that resonate with football fans, coaches, and business leaders alike. Ultimately, Turning the Thing Around stands as a testament to Johnson's swagger and strategic genius, offering a raw, unfiltered look at how he pulled both the Cowboys and himself out of the depths to the pinnacle of the sport, leaving readers with a deeper appreciation for the man behind the victories.