Wednesday, September 18, 1996
Jones: Switzer in Big D to stay
By DENNE H. FREEMAN
AP Sports Writer
(Sept. 18, 1996)
IRVING, Texas (AP) - Dismiss the rumors Barry Switzer is in his
last year as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Look for him to be
around well into the next century.
"Rubbish," is what owner Jerry Jones called reports
of Switzer being a goner.
"Barry Switzer is more vital today than he was when he got
here three years ago," Jones said Tuesday. "I think
of Barry Switzer coaching the Cowboys 10 years from now. He is
my coach and my only coach for a long time to come."
Jones fueled the rumors himself when he said wasn't adding another
year to Switzer's five-year rollover contract. Instead, he was
just letting it run. Jones admitted that was a mistake from a
perception standpoint.
"I'm not talking about rollovers," Jones said. "I'm
not biting that cheese any more. ... (The rollovers) are not
appropriate for how I feel about Barry as a coach. He is more
strongly entrenched than ever since he got here. He's longer
and stronger."
Since replacing Jimmy Johnson, Switzer has taken the Cowboys
to an NFC championship game loss to San Francisco and a Super
Bowl win over Pittsburgh. The Cowboys have stumbled out of the
gate with a 1-2 record this season.
"Barry Switzer is young in spirit and has a very futuristic
look to him," Jones said of his 59-year-old coach. "Barry
Switzer inspires me. He makes me want to push the envelope. He
has a go-for-it attitude."
Switzer has been more assertive in his third full year as head
coach. Only Monday, he chewed out the defense in a table-pounding
session for their poor tackling in a 25-24 loss to Indianapolis,
which overcame an 18-point deficit.
"There is no short list (for Switzer's replacement) and
never has been," Jones said. "I'm amazed where we get
these things. Barry is working off the longest contract in the
NFL."
Jones said Switzer, a highly successful coach at the University
of Oklahoma, has been underrated since he came to the Cowboys.
"His intellect is underestimated and his strategy on how
to play football is underestimated," Jones said. "He
has a fabulous record. He's won a national collegiate championship.
He's won a Super Bowl."
Switzer added: "I've told Jerry, 'Anytime you want me to
leave, I'll go with a smile on my face.' I've never felt any
heat. I'm the happiest I've ever been in coaching."
Jones, who has been stung by the Cowboys' poor start and criticism
aimed at Switzer, added, "I dig in real good when times
are tough. I can assure you the Cowboys will go to more Super
Bowls in the future."
And, the way Jones was talking Tuesday, with Switzer as the coach
until at least 2006.
All content copyright 1996, AP, The Abilene
Reporter-News and Reporter OnLine
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