Jimmy Johnson fought back tears Sunday as he announced the end of his coaching career.

"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 Miami 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.

Johnson, 56, 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.

	Johnson's collegiate record
	Year	Team	W	L	T
	1979	Okla. St.	7	4	0
	1980	Okla. St.	4	7	0
	1981	Okla. St.	7	5	0
	1982	Okla. St.	4	5	2
	1983	Okla. St.	8	4	0
	1984	Miami	8	5	0
	1985	Miami	10	2	0
	1986	Miami	11	1	0
	1987	Miami	12	0	0
	1988	Miami	11	1	0
	Total		82	34	2
	Johnson's NFL record
	Year	Team	W	L	Pct.
	1989	Dallas	1	15	.063
	1990	Dallas	7	9	.438
	1991	Dallas	11	5	.688
	1992	Dallas	13	3	.813
	1993	Dallas	12	4	.750
	1996	Miami	8	8	.500
	1997	Miami	9	7	.563
	1998	Miami	10	6	.625
	1999	Miami	9	7	.563
	Total		80	64	.556
	Johnson's NFL postseason record
	Year	Team	W	L	Pct.
	1991	Dallas	1	1	.500
	1992	Dallas	3	0	1.000
	1993	Dallas	3	0	1.000
	1997	Miami	0	1	.000
	1998	Miami	1	1	.500
	1999	Miami	1	1	.500
	Total		9	4	.692

Huizenga wanted continuity and decided against pursuing a high-profile college coach such as Steve Spurrier.

"We came to the conclusion we had the best guy right here," Huizenga said. "He knows the players, he knows the coaches. He doesn't have to take a year or two to get up to speed."

The choice of Wannstedt was popular with players.

"That's a great decision," said quarterback Damon Huard, the likely starter if Marino retires. "A lot of guys have a good relationship with him and will be excited to play for him next year."

Wannstedt, who was also an assistant to Johnson with the Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys, said there will be no change in philosophy. But he fired offensive coordinator Kippy Brown, offensive line coach Rich McGeorge and quarterbacks coach Larry Seiple.

"We'll look at every area of the team," Wannstedt said, "and make a decision on the areas where we can improve."

Wannstedt, 47, wasn't given Johnson's title as general manager, and the Dolphins will consider hiring a new personnel director. But Wannstedt has final say in all personnel decisions.

Johnson's career ended with the most lopsided NFL game in 23 years and the most lopsided postseason game in 59 years. On Saturday he took the blame for the rout at Jacksonville, saying the team practiced too much last week and didn't recover physically from a first-round win at Seattle. On Sunday he dismissed the defeat as a lesson that in the future, the Dolphins must earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Johnson won two Super Bowls in Dallas and a college national championship at Miami. But despite his pledge to reach the Super Bowl in Miami, he went just 38-31 with two playoff wins and no AFC East titles.

By comparison, predecessor Don Shula went 41-28 with three playoff wins and two division titles in his final four years before being pushed into retirement. Still, Johnson said, the franchise is in better shape than when he replaced Shula in 1996.

"We're one of just three teams that made the playoffs the past three years," he said. "We didn't win a championship, but we've got a lot of young talent and we're in great shape with the salary cap. There's no reason we can't move up from here."