Editor’s note: The following column from the Best of West collection was originally published in the Port Arthur News on Oct. 11, 1988.

Much as he’d like to play down the sideshow surrounding No. 1 ranked Miami’s trip to Notre Dame Saturday, Jimmy Johnson is fighting one of his few losing battles. He’s become the target in a Holy War that’s aroused unprecedented hostility toward a head coach.

This isn’t just Notre Dame vs. Miami, it’s Satan comes to South Bend. Guess who the lunatic fringe has labeled as Satan?

Hate mail, obscene phone calls, inflammatory T-shirts; you name it and the fanatical Fighting Irish faithful have enlisted it as part of their crusade.

It’s those anti-Johnson feelings that separates this from other big games, that has CBS officials gleefully rubbing their hands together over an anticipated ratings bonanza. Big games happen every year. But how often do you get one where so much venom is being spewed in the opposing coach’s direction?

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” says the coach of the nation’s No. 1 ranked team. “This thing has really snowballed. Let me give you some advice. When you get up there, don’t be walking around telling everybody you’re the sports editor from Jimmy Johnson’s hometown newspaper.”

The advice was followed by laughter. It sounded forced.

A few weeks ago the phone rang in Johnson’s office. It was late in the afternoon and his secretary had left for the day. JJ answered. On the other end was a high-sounding voice that identified itself as a freshman at Notre Dame.

“Is this Jimmy Johnson?” the voice asked. “Yes it is, Johnson replied. “I’m beating the rush,” said the voice. “I hate you now.”

Not long after the phone call, the Notre Dame student newspaper printed a classified ad giving Johnson’s office phone number and address. “Beat the rush,” encouraged the ad. “Send Jimmy Johnson hate mail now.”

The response has been a steady stream of letters, all of which Johnson opens and reads.

“Some of them are cute,” he says. “Some of them are irritating. A lot of them I wouldn’t let my mother read.”

Come on, Jimmy, elaborate.

“I’d rather not. Sometimes the more you talk about things, the more it motivates people to do more. There’s Notre Dame fans everywhere. I’m sure there’s some in Port Arthur.”