I've seen this on Johnson's coaching style before and I would bet those players that were sick of it weren't the best players or any of the leaders on that team.
NFL players want 3 things. To get paid more money, to look good and to win. Johnson did all 3 for them.
Good football players aren't looking for a buddy or a friend in a HC, see Bear Bryant, Lombardi, Grant, Noll, Landry and Saban. They want a man that is going to hold them accountable and help them be the best they can be.
I think the Cowboys win at least 4 with Johnson because intensity was his style and the players knew they won that way. Switzer was more "inmates running the asylum" and no way that team goes into SF that flat. They went into that 2nd against BUF SB flat because they were overconfident and I think he was overconfident as well and might have backed off on his intensity level.
The only players in the NFL that wouldn't want to play for a HC like Belichick are the lazy ones, just picking up game checks. Anyone who want s to be their very best wants a guy like that. They might not like him or the way he does things, but they like the results in themselves and their team.