BARRY SWITZER

'Barry Switzer' (born October 5, 1937) is a former football coach, in the college and professional ranks, between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history,"Switzer Is Honored To Be Inducted". ''The New York Times''. August 10, 2002. Retrieved April 17, 2007 and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a Super Bowl."Barry Switzer". ''The Arkansas Encyclopedia of History and Culture''. Retrieved April 17, 2007.

Contents

Early life and career

University of Oklahoma

Dallas Cowboys

After football

Notes

Early life and career

Born in Crossett, Arkansas, Switzer accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Arkansas. After graduation, he did a brief stint in the U.S. Army and then returned to Arkansas as an assistant coach.

University of Oklahoma

Following the 1966 season, Switzer moved to the University of Oklahoma as an assistant coach under new Head Coach and good friend Jim Mackenzie, who died of a heart attack following spring practice of 1967. Mr. Switzer continued as an assistant under former University of Houston assistant and new Oklahoma Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks. When Fairbanks accepted the position of Head Coach of the New England Patriots following the 1972 season, Switzer was the choice to succeed him.
Switzer became head coach at Oklahoma in 1973, leading the team to undefeated seasons that year and the next. Oklahoma won national championships in 1974, 1975 and 1985 under Switzer's leadership. The team won or shared in the Big Eight Conference championship every year from 1973 to 1980. During his sixteen years as head coach at Oklahoma, his teams won eight of the thirteen post-season bowls games they played in, and 54 of his players were selected as All-Americans. In 1978 Billy Sims won the Heisman Trophy. Switzer resigned as head coach in 1989 after Oklahoma was placed on probation by the NCAA..
Switzer was known as an outstanding recruiter of high school talent, particularly in the neighboring State of Texas. Part of this success was due to Switzer's impressive 10-4-2 record against The University of Texas (a career that began with three straight wins). Switzer had a bitter relationship with legendary Texas coach Darrell Royal. Royal (who had dominated the Sooners during most of his tenure) lost to Switzer in their first three meetings. Royal's support of NCAA rules restricting recruiting practices led Switzer to say that some coaches didn't want to work anymore and would rather "listen to guitar pickers" (a perceived reference to Royal's friendship with musician Willie Nelson). Shortly before Switzer and Royal's fourth and final meeting in 1976, Royal accused Switzer's staff of spying on his practices and it dominated the sports news during the week of the game. In the pre-game, the two coaches made a brief appearance with then-president Gerald Ford and neither spoke to the other. The game ended in a 6-6 tie. Switzer would later admit to spying"Spy Game" was series' most bitter". ''ESPN CLASSIC''. October 4, 2001. Retrieved July 22, 2007

Dallas Cowboys

Barry Switzer resurfaced in coaching in 1994 with the Dallas Cowboys, owned by Jerry Jones. Switzer stepped in following the sudden departure of Jimmy Johnson, who as head coach had won the previous two Super Bowls. Johnson had clashed with owner Jerry Jones (leading to his departure) and many felt that Switzer was more apt to go along with Jerry's ideas. Switzer was successful with the Cowboys, going 12-4 his first season in 1994 (losing to the 49ers in the NFC Championship. In Switzer's second season of 1995, the team went 12–4, but not without controversy. In the season's 14th game, the Cowboys lost to the Philadelphia Eagles when Switzer controversially went for a first down on fourth and one from his team's own 29 late in a tie game. Dallas failed to get a first down and subsequently lost, 20-17. Nevertheless Dallas rebounded and won Super Bowl XXX over the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27–17. Switzer resigned as Cowboys' coach after a 6-10 1997 season with a 45–26 career NFL coaching record.

After football

Switzer was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2004, he received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award. Switzer still resides in Norman, Oklahoma.Beginning on September 9, 2007, Barry Switzer will join the FOX NFL Pregame show.

Notes