Throwback Tulsa: Barry Switzer, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones part ways on this day in 1998
Former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reached an agreement that called for Switzer to step down as the Cowboys’ coach on this day in 1998.
Switzer, who took the majority of the blame for the Cowboys’ 6-10 season and its failure to reach the playoffs, said after the Cowboys’ final game, “I told Jerry he ought to fire the whole damn bunch of us.”
Switzer coached OU to several national championships (1974, 1975 and 1985) and Dallas to a Super Bowl 30 victory in 1996.
“Switzer: The Players’ Coach” by Tulsa World's Jimmie Tramel is told through the eyes of people who have known Barry Switzer the best, and you'll get a fresh perspective on an Oklahoma icon through heart-warming stories and captivating photos. With a foreword from old rival and Nebraska friend Tom Osborne and stories from players Switzer helped years after they left OU, the book will show you a side of the coach you didn't know.
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer with Greg Pruitt (30), Tim Welch (45), Grant Burget (25) and Jack Mildren (11) before Oklahoma's October 16, 1971 game with Colorado. Tulsa World file photo
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer runs onto the field before the start of the OU - Miami game on October 6, 1973. It was Switzer's first home game as head football coach at the University of Oklahoma. Tulsa World file photo.
Barry Switzer
Head coach Barry Switzer speaks to Lee Roy Selmon (93) during the Oklahoma - Miami game on October 6, 1973. Dewey Selmon (91) is also pictured. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
Darryl Royal and Barry Switzer during the OU-Texas football game on Oct. 11, 1975. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer, who holds a banner and indicates his Sooners are Number 1, is seen after beating Michigan in the Orange Bowl game in Miami Beach, Jan. 2, 1976. (AP Photo)
Barry Switzer
University of Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer holds a token Orange Bowl football with quarterback Thomas Lott Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1977 outside Miami's Orange Bowl Stadium. Oklahoma will meet the Arkansas Razorbacks in the stadium January 2nd for the annual Orange Bowl game. (AP Photo)
Barry Switzer
Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer enjoys the closing moments of a game against Nebraska at Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 25, 1977. (AP Photo/HTW)
Barry Switzer
Heisman winner Billy Sims, left, and Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer display a football with a handle, presented to Sims at his alma mater, in Hooks, Texas, on December, 2, 1978. (AP Photo)
Barry Switzer
Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer greets freshman Buster Rhymes after the winning touchdown against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on November 22, 1980. Oklahoma beat Nebraska 21-17. Photo via the Omaha World-Herald.
Barry Switzer
Oklahoma head football coach Barry Switzer screams instructions from the sidelines during action against Texas in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 10, 1981. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin)
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer and his son Doug Switzer during the game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State on October 23, 1992. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
Sooners give Coach Barry Switzer a lift after beating Nebraska at Memorial Stadium in Lincon on November 17, 1984. Oklahoma won 17-7. Photo via the Omaha World-Herald
Barry Switzer
Penn State coach Joe Paterno, left, and Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer laugh it up during a press conference, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1985 in Miami. Oklahoma takes on Penn. St. in the Orange Bowl on January 1. (AP Photo/Raul de Molina)
Barry Switzer
Oklahoma Sooners coach Barry Switzer gets a ride from jubilant players Tony Casillas, left, and an unidentified player, right, following their win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., on Jan. 2, 1986. (AP Photo/Mark Foley)
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer in 1986. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
Orange Bowl coaches Ken Hatfield of the University of Arkansas, left, and University of Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, right, are questioned about their upcoming game by former Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese during the annual coaches luncheon on Monday, Dec. 30, 1987. The match up is scheduled for New Year's Day. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
Barry Switzer
OU coach Barry Switzer in 1988 at the Bedlam football game. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
A sign at Big Red Sales reflected the sentiment of OU fans on June 19, 1989 after Barry Switzer resigned as Sooners football coach. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
The June 20, 1989 front page of the Tulsa World following OU football coach Barry Switzer's resignation
Barry Switzer
Dallas Cowboys new head coach Barry Switzer speaks at a news conference at the Cowboys facility in Irving, Tex., March 30, 1994, after being named to the position by owner Jerry Jones, left. Switzer replaces Jimmy Johnson, who left the team Tuesday. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin)
Barry Switzer
Dallas Cowboys' coach Barry Switzer, center, watches the second-quarter action against the Green Bay Packers during their NFC playoff game in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 8, 1995. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
BARRY SWITZER
As Super Bowl XXX MVP Larry Brown (left) holds on to Barry Switzer, the Dallas coach braces for a celebratory Gatorade shower delivered by Cowboys linebacker Robert Jones. BOB GALBRAITH/AP file
Barry Switzer
Dallas Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer, right, and owner Jerry Jones hand over the Super Bowl trophy to the Cowboys team at Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz., on Sunday, Jan. 28, 1996. The Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17. (AP Photo/Susan Sterner)
Barry Switzer
Steve Owens, left, and David Boren, right, give Barry Switzer a picture of what the new football facilities will look like during the April 1997 groundbreaking ceremony at OU. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer talks to Billy Vessels 1952 Heisman Trophy winner at the new Barry Switzer Center opening on April 24, 1999. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World File
Barry Switzer
Coaching legends Tom Osborne and Barry Switzer share a moment prior to the OU-Nebraska game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln in October 2011. Nebraska defeated the Sooners 20-10. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
Keith Jackson, left, talks with Barry Switzer at the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's annual awards dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001. Jackson, a tight end at Oklahoma from 1984-87, and Switzer, head coach of Oklahoma from 1973 to 1988, were inducted along with 14 other candidates. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Barry Switzer
From left; Former Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, South Florida athletic director Lee Roy Selmon, and his brother Dewey Selmon watch a tribute to Lee Roy Selmon on the stadium scoreboard Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, during halftime of the Oklahoma-South Florida game. The Semons played for Switzer on the Oklahoma national championship teams of the early 70s. Lee Roy Selmon was presented with a plaque recognizing him as one of the greatest Oklahoma players. (APPhoto/Jerry Laizure)
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer chokes up as he introduces "his coach" Frank Broyles at the charity golf tournament at Cherokee Hills Golf Club in October 2006. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer wears a afro wig during the 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims unveiling of a statue of the Heisman Trophy winner before the Oklahoma-North Texas college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007 in Norman, Okla. When Sims played at OU he wore his hair in an afro. (AP Photo/Ty Russell)
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer stands with his family under the new statue of himself on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Alonzo J. Adams)
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer laughs as he retells a story during an interview at his home in Norman, Okla., on Friday, September 21, 2012. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer speaks during the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert in Norman on July 6, 2013. Tulsa World File photo
Barry Switzer
In this Dec. 7, 2016 file photo, former football player and coach Barry Switzer speaks to members of the media in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Switzer figured when he told reporters he was going to be the Secretary of Offense for Donald Trump he assumed they knew he was joking about meeting the president-elect. Switzer said Thursday, Dec. 22 that "I think they need to learn the cabinet positions." (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
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Lincoln Riley recalls first dinner with Barry Switzer
All three Oklahoma Division I college football teams played on the road Saturday.
DALLAS — Like a throwback to Red River games from yesteryear, the Oklahoma defense played a leading role in a victory over Texas.
NORMAN — Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts accounted for nearly 400 yards of offense and five touchdowns while only playing three quarters Satu…
MANHATTAN, Kansas — Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson rushed for four touchdowns, as the Wildcats built a 25-point fourth-quarter lead …
NORMAN — A week off didn't cure Oklahoma's problems.
WACO, Texas — Oklahoma rallied from a 25-point deficit to knock off Baylor 34-31 on Saturday.
NORMAN — Oklahoma jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but needed a late defensive stand to hold onto a 28-24 win over TCU on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Barry Switzer and the Sooners perfected triple-option offense and, ultimately, would become more synonymous with the wishbone than any other program.