DAVIE, Fla. -- Jimmy Johnson was on his way out the door on a balmy Sunday, headed for retirement and the Florida Keys, when he stopped and looked at his watch.
"High tide is at 2 o'clock," Johnson said with a smile. "I've got to get out there."Then, accompanied by his wife and Yorkie, Johnson departed for his boat, leaving Dave Wannstedt to deal with the wreckage of the Dolphins' 1999 season.
The transition was surprising only because it happened so fast -- less than 24 hours after the worst defeat in franchise history ended Johnson's fourth season at Miami. He retired from coaching, and Wannstedt signed a three-year contract as his successor.
The 56-year-old Johnson will remain with the team as a consultant on personnel matters, but his involvement will be limited, owner Wayne Huizenga said.
"He does not want to be under contract. He does not want a job. He does not want any day-to-day position," Huizenga said. "He wants to fish."
The coaching change increases
the chance quarterback Dan Marino will play another season, if only because Johnson was unlikely to want him back. Wannstedt stammered when asked if Marino can still win in the NFL at 38 years old.
"Ah, you know what, I ... yeah, I mean, Dan had a tough year because of some injuries and so forth," Wannstedt said. "Dan and I will talk. What his plans are for the future I don't know. We'll hold off on the Dan thing."
In a statement, Marino said he appreciated Johnson's contributions.
"I feel that he has built a solid foundation, and that we're not far from being a championship team. I want to wish him the best," Marino said. "I also want to congratulate Dave on being named as head coach. I'm sure he'll do a great job continuing the progress we've made over the last few years."
Johnson was frustrated in Miami by his disagreements with Marino, his feuds with the media and his failure to deliver a championship. Late-season collapses were a perennial problem, and this season the Dolphins stumbled to a 3-7 finish after a 7-1 start.
Johnson told Huizenga of his plan to quit a couple of weeks before Saturday's 62-7 playoff loss at Jacksonville. Unlike a year ago, when Johnson briefly considered retirement, Huizenga didn't try to dissuade him.
"This time it's final and forever," Johnson told a news conference. "I've had my time in the sun. I've had my time in the spotlight. And now it's time to spend time with my family."
Johnson turned emotional when he thanked Huizenga for being supportive.
"You don't know how badly it makes me feel that we didn't bring a championship to him," Johnson said, his voice breaking.
The Dolphins are the sixth team to make a coaching change since the end of the season, joining, Dallas, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans and the New York Jets.
At Johnson's recommendation, Wannstedt gets a second chance. He went 40-56 in six years with the Chicago Bears before they fired him, then spent last season as the Dolphins' assistant head coach.
Huizenga wanted continuity and decided against pursuing a high-profile college coach such as Steve Spurrier.