Graybeard, Tulsa (6/14/2009 8:21:18 AM)

Barry Switzer was probably the best recruiter of any division 1 college football program of the era. Undoubtedly a player's coach, an excellent offensive mind, and yes, a legend.
He may have been a little too forgiving on the player's off-field activities and should have taken a harder line, but some of those kids saw the light. Some didn't.
You can't blame Switzer for the failings of the kids that chose the wrong path when presented with the choice.
Barry Switzer is a good man with a big heart and Oklahoma is proud him.

HOGRIDER, BA (6/14/2009 9:26:29 AM)

Graybeard.......Ditto

Boomer Sooner Poster, (6/14/2009 11:07:55 AM)

Truly an Oklahoma legend......long live the king!

Arbythree, Tulsa (6/14/2009 1:09:11 PM)

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONER!!!!!

Better Than, (6/14/2009 1:53:02 PM)

When I think of OU football I think of Barry Switzer. Go Sooners!

Daniel Day Simpson, Edmond (6/14/2009 5:24:27 PM)

Had Switzer stayed just one more season, O.U. would have received the death penalty from the NCAA. I was there when he resigned and was witness to a lot that happened. He was out of control and needed to go. A lot was going on behind the scenes to keep O.U. from being banned from one full season of football. That, as you know, would have killed the program like it did at S.M.U. Instead, O.U. was able to garner two seasons of sanctions, loss of television rights, loss of bowl appearances, loss of scholarships and everything up to but not including forfeiture of one full season of football and possibly other sports. So, all you Switzer lovers have your day in the sun as I also ran into Switzer when he visited Francis and Gene Stipe's Ramada Inn in McAlester for the yearly voter appreciation party. I just blended in like one of the goobers just to get a free Pete's Place dinner. Hey, free food is free food, it does not know political affiliation.
Oh, yes, did ya know that Switzer created, owned, and operated Big Red Sports and Imports? So some searching on the Bomar case and you will find that it was BRSI that caused his termination. Of course Switzer had long sold the dealership but just imagine for a moment how all that stuff got started, hmm makes you wonder doesn't it? How about the player who got caught using the after hours pump with a secret code. Did Switzer own any fuel stations? No. Did he own the fuel jobber used by many fuel stations, you betcha. My friend's wife worked for Switzer Petroleum Products, Inc. Some basic investigations will show that Switzer PPI was a huge benefit to the program. Hey, everything they did was just usual business back then. The rules were made for other programs. When the move, "One on One" came out, we showed it in the commons between Walker and Adams Center at O.U. It was a huge hit. If you haven't seen it, it was about a basketball player who gets involved in the nitty gritty of a corrupt program. When he refuses to play their games he gets blackballed. I can imagine that if any player at O.U. in 1982 had decided to do that, he would just disappear. Last, I found out we can finally eat at The Mont. In all my years at O.U. with an undergrad and graduate degree, independents were not allowed into that restaurant. I ate there for the very first time after 15 years. It was ok. Its no longer a preppy establishment and they do allow non-fraternity members to eat there now.

Bullhead, Nicut (6/14/2009 6:16:15 PM)

He was still a great coach. When anyone thinks of OU football, they think of Switzer then Stoops. Barry is a legend, Stoops will be.

winn6896, (6/14/2009 6:36:40 PM)

Daniel Day Simpson..you are are an idiot. Your rambling, nonsensical, and poorly written post prompted me to take the time to create a Tulsa World account just to tell you what a ridiculous comment you imparted. Your allegations are groundless and your logic is on par with a 14 year old. If you truly do have both an undergraduate and masters degree from the same institution as both my undergraduate and masters, then I will immediately burn both of my degrees. Please refrain from embarrassing yourself in such a public forum in the future.

Daniel Day Simpson, Edmond (6/14/2009 6:45:25 PM)

winn6896, welcome to the TW. Glad to have you here. As for you and the other Switzer lovers they usually convene at least once weekly in Campus Corner at Pepe Delgados. You can then kiss his feet and shine his butt. I'm sure he will appreciate the attention, as he usually does. As for my comment above, I stand by it 100 percent and with 20 years of writing about it, I've never changed a single character. But I do realize that Switzer lovers just cannot have their "god" rebuked in any way. As for me, he was just another man on campus.

Dr_Doom, Latveria (6/14/2009 7:09:52 PM)

You know, that Power Lift stuff sounds like a bunch of hoowie

Reasonably Prudent Person, (6/14/2009 8:27:26 PM)

Coach Switzer was, is, and will always be "The King." No one has done more for the University, the people of the State of Oklahoma, or hundreds of kids who sought an escape from abject and hopeless poverty through college athletics than the son of an Arkiesaw bootlegger I'm proud to call one of my childhood heroes. My God Bless him and his family.

twatwa, Norman (6/14/2009 11:39:53 PM)

Great comment Reasonably Prudent Person.

Redmen, Tulsa (6/15/2009 11:57:45 AM)

Seems there are people who are always willing and waiting to trash talk another person,maybe because they once had an encounter with that person thinking they know that person.Guess it make them feel better and important.
When the majority admire and accepts that person even with their short comings, like Switzer, it's then equated to GOD like worship. WHAT ?.
Nobody said Switzer didn't make some mistakes, but tell me how he was to monitor 100+ athletes 24/7, Heck , he'd never got any sleep.LOL
What Switzer did accomplish far outweighs the negatives. You should learn to accept and live with that.

For all those who are always lying in wait to bad mouth a persons integrity,who are without empathy,non believers in second chances,sniveling miserable little people who are apparently without sin themselves, should go pray for forgiveness for their own short comings and for the speck in their own eye.

DustyM81, (6/15/2009 1:15:05 PM)

Daniel Day Simpson: If you had anything legitimate to say, you would just say it instead of making insinuations. Knowing people who know people, and sitting in a lobby with people who know people... well, that proves nothing.

And I'm not sure what era you attended OU. But as far as I know, "independents" (I am one, myself) have always been allowed inside 'The Mont.' Your perception in feeling out of place and actually being excluded are not the same thing. But I agree about the food. It's just ok.

Navin Johnson, Tulsa (6/15/2009 2:26:40 PM)

When I think of Barry Switzer I think of NCAA infractions, blatant cheating, players in prison, etc. In other words, Oklahoma's favorite son.

terrybjones, (6/15/2009 3:05:32 PM)

READ THIS!!
Barry Switzer did not start Big Red Sports and Imports. I used to do business with them back in the day and they were owned but not run by Hudiburg Chevrolet. Yes I know about what was in the news after the Bomar incident but Hudiburg did own the dealership back then.

Steff M, Claremore (6/17/2009 10:12:13 AM)

When I think of Navin Johnson I think of a jealous OSU fan. And Steve Martin of course.

spowart, Coweta (6/17/2009 1:40:29 PM)

Daniel Day Simpson: you may want to make sure you know what you're talking about before you post. First of all, Francis and Gene Stipe never owned the Ramada Inn in mcalester. My aunt and uncle had the place built as a Holiday Inn in 65, and owned it till it closed its doors. The name Lindley ring a bell? Keep spouting the crap, but people don't always buy it.

cindyjo, (6/17/2009 2:46:43 PM)

Barry Switzer was the best OU football coach of all time. He had a relationship with his players that showed he cared greatly for them.

CherokeeOK, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (6/17/2009 6:47:37 PM)

I am not really a football fan, but loved Barry Switzer football era.

Michael P Wright, Norman (6/18/2009 6:56:30 PM)

PRAISE TO DANIEL DAY SIMPSON

Thanks for giving us a dose of reality. I also notice that you have the courage to sign your real name -- unlike so many anonymous cowards who post their drivel here. I have many stories of corruption to tell about OU. Email me at mpwright8 at aol dot com.

Sooner fanatics -- your hate mail and harassment will be ignored. Don't waste your time.

Sly, (6/22/2009 4:34:33 PM)

Barry Switzer was the 2d greatest coach at OU. Bud wilkinson was the best in my mind. I always liked Barry Switer and always will till my dying day. Sure he made mistakes, but you who enjoy bringing them up when someone is being held up only lower yourselves in my opinion. Bob Stoops will not and cannot be in the same class with Wilkinson and Switzer. He won one big game but as lost 3 count em 3 national championships games in a row. The first loss he lost to a superior team, the last two OU was their equal but got outcoached. My best wishes to the Bootleggers Boy. You defined an era and no one will likely ever rush the football like the sooners did in the early 1970's,

not your friend 2,,,, missy, no thanks (8/19/2009 12:12:52 AM)

Thats a nice interveiw of Mr.Switzer.