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Switzer has strong ties to Alabama
Published Monday, June 11, 2007
By Christopher Walsh
Sports Writer
If there’s anyone who knows exactly what University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban means when he talks about the numerous differences between the college and pro games, it’s Barry Switzer.
Not only is he one of just two people to win both a Super Bowl and college national championship as a coach, but as an assistant he briefly coached the other, Jimmy Johnson (along with Ken Hatfield and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, with Johnny Majors also on staff), at Arkansas with the 1964 title team.
“It surprises people when I give them this answer, it’s really two different games," Switzer said. “Not because of the sophistication of pro football is so advanced because you have the best of the best, and you have more time to work with them, from seven o’clock in the morning until six in the evening. It’s all about winning and getting to the Super Bowl.
“It’s totally impersonal. I don’t care where you’re from, I don’t care how many siblings you have, what your goals or passions are. I really don’t care. Just win."
Thanks to an invitation from longtime friend and colleague Mal Moore, the director of athletics at Alabama, Switzer was in town last week for a Crimson Tide golf fundraiser that included another coach with experience at both levels, Saban.
However, prior to Saban’s hiring earlier this year, Switzer actually had a stronger connection to the Tide.
“I haven’t been here in years and I really looked forward to this," Switzer said. “I came here back in the 60s when Coach [Paul “Bear"] Bryant was here.
“I’ve always had a close relationship with Alabama in my own mind because of Coach Bryant being from Fordyce [Arkansas], and I knew him."
Switzer was born roughly 40 miles away in Crossett, Ark., and it was as a center and linebacker for the Razorbacks that he first met Bryant on the field in 1957 (one year before Frank Broyles was hired).
No. 11 Arkansas was hosting No. 1 Texas A&M for homecoming, and had driven deep into Aggie territory late in the game when an interception by Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow salvaged a 7-6 victory for the visitors.
“I still don’t know why we threw that pass," Switzer said. “The biggest thrill for me that day was coming on the field and finding Coach Bryant standing on the field. I was a sophomore that year."
Following a year in the U.S. Army, Switzer began his coaching career at Arkansas before moving on to Oklahoma in 1966, where he became the head coach in 1973.
What most fans are well aware of is that the Sooners were the consensus national champions in 1974, 1975 and 1985, and won 12 Big Eight titles under Switzer (157-29-4).
However, during that time Switzer’s ties to Alabama became stronger than ever as the teams swapped game film, along with Texas, because they all ran the wishbone offense.
“Every week," Switzer said. “We wanted to see what other people were doing against each other, just to get ideas."
He also once offered Moore a job to be his offensive coordinator since he was already familiar with the scheme.
“He thought about it and I talked with him about it several times," Switzer said. “He declined and we won the national championship that year. We beat undefeated Penn State.
“Mal said, 'Hell, I didn’t know you had those kind of players.’"
During his 16 years at Oklahoma, Switzer’s teams scored 6,093 points while allowing 2,429, for an average score of 32.1-12.8. When he retired following the 1988 season his winning percentage of .837 was fourth highest in Division I-A history.
It was Jones who lured him out of retirement to lead the Cowboys. Over four seasons, Switzer compiled a 45-26 record and won Super Bowl XXX against Pittsburgh, 27-17.
“The college coach has the mission and goal to developing men for the next 30, 40 50 years," Switzer said. “Ninety-nine percent of our kids aren’t going to play in the NFL. Hopefully they’re going to be good young men and are going to represent themselves and their family and university in the right way.
“I’ve said it’s easier to coach pro football because [they’re motivated by money]. College football, you’re dealing with hundreds of kids. It’s four to five years, 365, 24/7 every day. You’re held accountable and responsible for their behavior and actions. You have academics, recruiting, you have so many other facets to deal with in the college game."
At age 69, Switzer is retired from football and living in Norman, Okla. -- where the university has named an athletic facility in his honor -- though he does plan to visit the Cowboys during training camp this summer.
Various charities keep him busy, though back surgery has put a damper on his golf game, while Switzer is just enjoying being a fan again.
He would like to see a playoff of some sort of the national championship, but doesn’t think it will happen, will be keeping an eye on the Tide from afar this season, and still isn’t afraid to lend his thoughts on just about any subject.
“The Southeastern Conference is so much more physical and there’s much more speed, much more skill in this league," Switzer said. “The Big 12 was a little down last year too, and it upsets people there when I tell them that, but it’s true."
Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or ay 205-722-0196.
Published Monday, June 11, 2007
By Christopher Walsh
Sports Writer
If there’s anyone who knows exactly what University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban means when he talks about the numerous differences between the college and pro games, it’s Barry Switzer.
Not only is he one of just two people to win both a Super Bowl and college national championship as a coach, but as an assistant he briefly coached the other, Jimmy Johnson (along with Ken Hatfield and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, with Johnny Majors also on staff), at Arkansas with the 1964 title team.
“It surprises people when I give them this answer, it’s really two different games," Switzer said. “Not because of the sophistication of pro football is so advanced because you have the best of the best, and you have more time to work with them, from seven o’clock in the morning until six in the evening. It’s all about winning and getting to the Super Bowl.
“It’s totally impersonal. I don’t care where you’re from, I don’t care how many siblings you have, what your goals or passions are. I really don’t care. Just win."
Thanks to an invitation from longtime friend and colleague Mal Moore, the director of athletics at Alabama, Switzer was in town last week for a Crimson Tide golf fundraiser that included another coach with experience at both levels, Saban.
However, prior to Saban’s hiring earlier this year, Switzer actually had a stronger connection to the Tide.
“I haven’t been here in years and I really looked forward to this," Switzer said. “I came here back in the 60s when Coach [Paul “Bear"] Bryant was here.
“I’ve always had a close relationship with Alabama in my own mind because of Coach Bryant being from Fordyce [Arkansas], and I knew him."
Switzer was born roughly 40 miles away in Crossett, Ark., and it was as a center and linebacker for the Razorbacks that he first met Bryant on the field in 1957 (one year before Frank Broyles was hired).
No. 11 Arkansas was hosting No. 1 Texas A&M for homecoming, and had driven deep into Aggie territory late in the game when an interception by Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow salvaged a 7-6 victory for the visitors.
“I still don’t know why we threw that pass," Switzer said. “The biggest thrill for me that day was coming on the field and finding Coach Bryant standing on the field. I was a sophomore that year."
Following a year in the U.S. Army, Switzer began his coaching career at Arkansas before moving on to Oklahoma in 1966, where he became the head coach in 1973.
What most fans are well aware of is that the Sooners were the consensus national champions in 1974, 1975 and 1985, and won 12 Big Eight titles under Switzer (157-29-4).
However, during that time Switzer’s ties to Alabama became stronger than ever as the teams swapped game film, along with Texas, because they all ran the wishbone offense.
“Every week," Switzer said. “We wanted to see what other people were doing against each other, just to get ideas."
He also once offered Moore a job to be his offensive coordinator since he was already familiar with the scheme.
“He thought about it and I talked with him about it several times," Switzer said. “He declined and we won the national championship that year. We beat undefeated Penn State.
“Mal said, 'Hell, I didn’t know you had those kind of players.’"
During his 16 years at Oklahoma, Switzer’s teams scored 6,093 points while allowing 2,429, for an average score of 32.1-12.8. When he retired following the 1988 season his winning percentage of .837 was fourth highest in Division I-A history.
It was Jones who lured him out of retirement to lead the Cowboys. Over four seasons, Switzer compiled a 45-26 record and won Super Bowl XXX against Pittsburgh, 27-17.
“The college coach has the mission and goal to developing men for the next 30, 40 50 years," Switzer said. “Ninety-nine percent of our kids aren’t going to play in the NFL. Hopefully they’re going to be good young men and are going to represent themselves and their family and university in the right way.
“I’ve said it’s easier to coach pro football because [they’re motivated by money]. College football, you’re dealing with hundreds of kids. It’s four to five years, 365, 24/7 every day. You’re held accountable and responsible for their behavior and actions. You have academics, recruiting, you have so many other facets to deal with in the college game."
At age 69, Switzer is retired from football and living in Norman, Okla. -- where the university has named an athletic facility in his honor -- though he does plan to visit the Cowboys during training camp this summer.
Various charities keep him busy, though back surgery has put a damper on his golf game, while Switzer is just enjoying being a fan again.
He would like to see a playoff of some sort of the national championship, but doesn’t think it will happen, will be keeping an eye on the Tide from afar this season, and still isn’t afraid to lend his thoughts on just about any subject.
“The Southeastern Conference is so much more physical and there’s much more speed, much more skill in this league," Switzer said. “The Big 12 was a little down last year too, and it upsets people there when I tell them that, but it’s true."
Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or ay 205-722-0196.
