Barry Switzer Net Worth

Barry Switzer is a former American football coach with an estimated net worth of $7 million. He is one of the most successful coaches in American football history, having won national championships at the college level and a Super Bowl in the NFL.

Switzer coached football at an elite level from 1962 to 1997. He spent most of his college coaching career at the University of Oklahoma, where he became one of the winningest coaches in college football history. He later moved to the NFL and coached the Dallas Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl XXX.

Switzer is one of only a small group of coaches to have won both a college football national championship and a Super Bowl. His wealth has come from his long coaching career, broadcasting work and business ventures.

Early Life

Barry Layne Switzer was born on October 5, 1937, in Crossett, Arkansas. He was the son of Mary Louise and Frank Mays Switzer.

Switzer grew up in difficult circumstances. His father was a bootlegger who was arrested at the family’s home. Barry and his younger brother, Donny, were raised by their mother.

His mother died by suicide on August 26, 1959. His father was later murdered in 1972 by a jealous lover.

Despite the challenges of his childhood, Switzer developed a strong connection to football.

College Football Career

Switzer received an athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Arkansas. He became one of the team’s leaders and served as one of the Razorbacks’ “Tri-Captains.”

During his senior season, Arkansas finished with a 9-2 record, shared the Southwest Conference championship and won the 1960 Gator Bowl against Georgia Tech.

After graduating, Switzer had a brief career in the U.S. Army before returning to Arkansas to begin his coaching career.

In 1962, he joined the University of Arkansas as an assistant coach. His work there provided the foundation for a coaching career that would eventually make him one of the most successful coaches in college football.

University of Oklahoma

After the 1966 season, Switzer left Arkansas and joined the University of Oklahoma as an assistant coach.

He initially worked under head coach Jim Mackenzie, a close friend. Mackenzie died of a heart attack in 1967 following spring training. Switzer remained with the program under new head coach Chuck Fairbanks.

Switzer eventually became Oklahoma’s head coach in 1973.

His arrival transformed the Sooners into one of the dominant programs in college football.

National Championships at Oklahoma

Switzer made an immediate impact at Oklahoma. The Sooners went undefeated in both 1973 and 1974.

In 1974, Oklahoma won the national championship. The Sooners repeated as national champions in 1975 and later won another national title in 1985.

During Switzer’s tenure, Oklahoma also won 12 Big Eight Conference championships.

His teams were known for an aggressive, run-heavy offensive style supported by strong defense. The approach helped Oklahoma become one of the most dominant programs in college football during the 1970s and 1980s.

Switzer finished his Oklahoma career with a .837 winning percentage, one of the highest marks in college football history.

His success also established him as one of the most influential coaches of his generation.

Switzer Leaves Oklahoma

Switzer resigned as Oklahoma’s head coach in 1989 after the program was placed on NCAA probation.

His departure ended a remarkable run at the school. During his time as head coach, he won three national championships and 12 conference titles while maintaining an exceptional winning percentage.

Although he had stepped away from coaching, Switzer would eventually return to the sidelines, this time in the NFL.

Barry Switzer and the Dallas Cowboys

In 1994, Switzer returned to football as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hired Switzer to replace Jimmy Johnson, who had led Dallas to the previous two Super Bowl victories.

Switzer’s transition from college football to the NFL proved successful.

In his first season, the Cowboys went 12-4 and reached the NFC Championship Game. Dallas ultimately lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

The following season produced the biggest achievement of Switzer’s professional coaching career.

Barry Switzer Wins Super Bowl XXX

The Dallas Cowboys again finished the 1995 regular season with a 12-4 record.

The team advanced through the playoffs and reached Super Bowl XXX, where it faced the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dallas won the game 27-17, giving Switzer his first Super Bowl championship.

The victory also placed Switzer among the rare coaches who had won both a college football national championship and a Super Bowl.

His Super Bowl success added another major achievement to a coaching career that had already included three national championships at Oklahoma.

Final Years With the Cowboys

Switzer remained with the Cowboys after the Super Bowl victory.

The team struggled during the 1997 season, finishing with a 6-10 record. Switzer resigned following the disappointing campaign.

He ended his NFL coaching career with a 40-24 record.

Although his time in the NFL was considerably shorter than his college career, winning the Super Bowl provided a major final achievement to his coaching legacy.

Broadcasting Career

Following his retirement from coaching, Switzer remained involved in football through broadcasting.

He worked as a commentator and analyst for college football broadcasts, allowing him to remain connected to the sport after leaving the sidelines.

In 2007, he joined the Fox NFL Pregame show.

His experience as a national championship-winning college coach and Super Bowl-winning NFL coach gave him considerable insight to offer as a football analyst.

Business Ventures

Switzer has also pursued business interests outside football.

He owns Switzer’s Locker Room, a business based in the Norman, Oklahoma, area. He also owns Switzer’s Vineyards and several other small businesses.

These ventures have provided additional sources of income beyond his coaching and broadcasting careers.

His business activities have also kept him connected to the Oklahoma community where he spent much of his coaching career.

Awards and Honors

Switzer has received several major honors for his contribution to football.

In 2000, he was named an honorary member of the Oklahoma Kappa chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

In 2002, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Two years later, in 2004, Switzer received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award.

These honors recognized his achievements as a coach and his lasting influence on college football.

Personal Life

Barry Switzer lives in Norman, Oklahoma, with his wife, Becky.

Despite retiring from coaching decades ago, Switzer has remained active in football through broadcasting and public appearances. He has also continued operating his businesses in the Norman area.

His career remains closely associated with the University of Oklahoma, where he spent more than a decade as a player and coach and established himself as one of the most successful figures in the school’s football history.

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