Switzer Won’t Be Back At The Ranch Reportedly Reaches Agreement With Jones To Resign As Coach

Barry Switzer, who took the majority of the blame for the Dallas Cowboys’ 6-10 season and failure to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1990, has reached an agreement with owner Jerry Jones to step down as coach, a source within the Cowboys organization told The Associated Press.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Switzer and Jones came to the agreement this week, but it was not clear whether Switzer would remain with the team as a consultant.

Jones was not immediately available for comment because he was in New York for NFL meetings.

Switzer did not answer his home telephone.

The Cowboys are expected to hold a news conference later this week to discuss the decision that Jones and Switzer reached.

Switzer, who replaced Jimmy Johnson four years ago, had said that he would not stand in the way if Jones was eager to make a change.

The fact that Switzer was not present for a major news conference earlier this week when Jones announced the signing of offensive lineman Larry Allen to a six-year contract was a signal that Jones’ good friend was no longer a member of the inner circle.

Another indication that Switzer wasn’t coming back was when quarterback Troy Aikman, who had complained openly about a lack of discipline on the team this year, announced before the regular season ended that he was coming back in 1998.

Critics of Switzer pointed out that Aikman wouldn’t have made such a statement unless he knew that Switzer’s fate was sealed.

Fullback Daryl Johnston was interviewed last week and said one of the reasons the team collapsed this year was because of a lack of discipline, such as Switzer allowing players to report late for practice.

Switzer even said after the Cowboys’ final game, “I told Jerry he ought to fire the whole damn bunch of us.”

Jones, however, didn’t take Switzer’s advice. Instead, he came to an agreement with Switzer much as he did with Johnson, who got a $2 million goodbye package and thanks for winning two Super Bowl rings.

Switzer leaves with one Super Bowl ring in his four-year stint with the team and a record of 45-26. However, the Cowboys were 17-17 in Switzer’s last two years.

Candidates to replace Switzer include George Seifert, who left the San Francisco 49ers under strained circumstances a year ago.

Seifert’s contract with the 49ers expires in early February, and Jones said this week he wasn’t going to do anything about the Cowboys’ coaching situation until February.

Other possible hires include Terry Donohue, former UCLA coach; Jon Gruden, offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles; and perhaps even someone from Switzer’s own staff, such as defensive coordinator Dave Campo.

Jones has said he plans to do some coaching himself next year, and the new candidate would have to be ready to have Jones looking over his shoulder. In fact, Jones has already drawn up plans for a 3-4 defense next year and other items he thinks might help get the Cowboys back into playoff contention.

The Cowboys had been in the playoffs seven consecutive seasons before this season’s power failure, when the team’s offense came apart from failure to score inside the 20 and constant mental mistakes and penalties.

Campo’s defense was the second-best in the NFL.

Also in danger is offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese, who was criticized for many of his calls and Dallas’ failure to score from in close.

Jones has refused to say which of Switzer’s assistants he is keeping, although he has already secretly signed contracts with several of them.