Jimmy Johnson has always been a name synonymous with success, whether on the sidelines of an NFL game or in the broadcast booth at FOX. After all, Johnson’s the man still haunting the BIG D (in a good way). Ask any die-hard Cowboys fan and they’ll take you on a journey back in time when Johnson helped them to back-to-back Super Bowl wins (’92 and ’93). You can’t buy that. No matter what Jerry Jones does, right now, it’d be hard for him to give that back to Dallas.

But when Jimmy’s not dissecting plays or reliving his championship days, he’s simply a dad to his children. And let’s be honest, balancing the title of football legend and father can’t be an easy playbook to follow. While Johnson’s coaching accolades are the stuff of NFL folklore, his personal life often takes a quieter corner of the spotlight.

How many kids does Jimmy Johnson have?

The Architect of the Cowboys’ glory days, Jimmy Johnson, too, has a life extending beyond the successes of the gridiron. Johnson has two sons from his first marriage to Linda Kay Cooper, Brent and Chad Johnson. But Johnson’s family life reflects a tale of two halves. After parting ways with Linda in 1990, he found love again with Rhonda Rookmaaker, whom he married in 1999. Together, they’ve built a quiet life in the Florida Keys, far from the chaos of the spotlight.

Now, a man as busy as him, you might think: is he able to bond well with his sons? Contrary to popular beliefs, Jimmy’s connection with his sons is something not many know of, but it remains a key part of his story.

“Not only will you be out of the family,” this was Jimmy’s ultimatum to Chad—who was going through a severe case of alcoholism more than a decade ago, “there’s going to be no communication. Because I’m not going to stand by and watch this happen.” Result? Chad did not give in to addiction. Rehabs and the love of his father forced him to get better. As for Brent, he tends to keep it low-key, but it’s not lost to him: the meaning of family. 

Where are Johnson’s kids in 2025 and what do they do?

Life’s toughest moments can shape the strongest comebacks. Especially when you have Jimmy Johnson as your dad. So, after hitting a rough patch, Chad didn’t stay down. Instead, he used his experience as a stepping stone, ensuring no one else felt stuck in the same spot. ‘No other Chad’. And that’s the mantra that has stuck with both of Jimmy’s sons as they have carved out successful paths in their own arenas.

Chad now represents District 22 in the Florida House of Representatives, taking office in November 2024. With roots in agriculture and a knack for auctioneering, Chad’s journey reflects his deep connection to the community. Talking about community, he also founded Tranquil Shores. It’s basically a dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida that caters to each client in the way they want.

As for Brent, he’s running plays far from the football field but just as impactful. Brent is the president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and also manages his family farm in Manson, Iowa. With a degree in agronomy from Iowa State University, he’s not just a farmer—he’s a problem solver for the land. On top of that, he also runs an independent crop consulting business.

As Jimmy Johnson once said: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” His sons are literally adding those ‘extras’ every time they are out there making moves.