CONGRATULATIONS: Former Oklahoma Head Coach Barry Switzer Honored with Prestigious National Football Foundation Gold Medal….***Full Details…***
CONGRATULATIONS: Former Oklahoma Head Coach Barry Switzer Honored with Prestigious National Football Foundation Gold Medal….***Full Details…
College football legend **Barry Switzer**, the iconic former head coach of the **Oklahoma Sooners**, has received one of the sport’s highest honors — the **National Football Foundation (NFF) Gold Medal**. The award, presented annually to an individual who exemplifies excellence in leadership, integrity, and contribution to the game of football, marks yet another milestone in Switzer’s illustrious career.
Switzer, 87, accepted the award at a packed ceremony in New York City, surrounded by family, former players, coaches, and sports dignitaries. Known for his charisma, honesty, and deep love for the game, Switzer expressed gratitude and humility in his brief acceptance speech.
Football has given me everything,” Switzer said. “This award isn’t just mine it belongs to every player, coach, and fan who walked this journey with me.”
Barry Switzer served as the head coach of the University of Oklahoma from 1973 to 1988, during which he built one of the most dominant programs in college football history. Under his leadership, the Sooners won **three national championships** (1974, 1975, and 1985) and **12 Big Eight Conference titles**. Switzer compiled a staggering **157–29–4 career record**, making him one of the most successful coaches of his era.
He was also known for popularizing the wishbone offense an innovative scheme that helped revolutionize college football and dominate the line of scrimmage during the 1970s and 1980s.
He was ahead of his time,” said former Oklahoma quarterback Jamelle Holieway. “Coach Switzer gave us confidence, freedom, and the belief that we could beat anybody.
Switzer’s accomplishments extend beyond college football. In 1994, he returned to coaching as head coach of the **Dallas Cowboys**, where he led the team to victory in **Super Bowl XXX**. With that win, Switzer became one of only **three coaches in history** to win both a **college football national championship** and a **Super Bowl** — a rare and remarkable feat.
Beyond wins and titles, Switzer has long been praised for his **philanthropy**, **community involvement**, and **support for underprivileged youth**. Through the **Barry Switzer Foundation** and other charitable efforts, he has raised millions of dollars for scholarships, mentorship programs, and child welfare initiatives.
He never stopped caring about people,” said NFF President Steve Hatchell. “Coach Switzer is more than a football icon — he’s a symbol of what it means to lead with heart.
The **NFF Gold Medal** is reserved for individuals who demonstrate the values of scholarship, citizenship, and leadership — qualities Switzer has displayed throughout his life. The honor places him alongside an elite group of past recipients, including U.S. Presidents, Olympians, and legendary coaches.
As the ceremony closed, Switzer was given a standing ovation — a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy is forever etched in the history of the game.
Barry Switzer’s impact on football goes beyond championships. He is a pioneer, a mentor, and a lasting symbol of leadership. The NFF Gold Medal is a well-deserved recognition for a life built on excellence, on and off the field.
