Barry Switzer is bowing to owner Jerry Jones' wishes.
Switzer, 61, has reached an agreement with Jones to step down as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, a source within the organization told The Associated Press on Thursday.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 will remain with the team as a consultant. He still has several years left on a contract at $1 million per year.
Switzer recently bought a home in the area and also owns a restaurant.
He had to pay the price for the Cowboys' 6-10 season and failure to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years, although he brought the Cowboys a Super Bowl title just two years ago.
Jones was not immediately available for comment because he was in New York for NFL meetings, and Switzer did not answer his home telephone.
Sources told The Daily Oklahoman on Thursday in a copyright story that Switzer and Jones have reached a pact regarding the remaining years on his contract, with an announcement expected in the next two or three days.
Switzer, who replaced Jimmy Johnson four years ago, had said that he would not stand in the way if Jones is 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 complained openly about a lack of discipline on the team this year, announced before the regular season ended that would come back in 1998.
Fullback Daryl Johnston was interviewed last week and said one of the reasons the team collapsed this year was because of lax discipline, such as Switzer allowing players to report late for practice.
Switzer himself 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 40-24. 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.
Jones has said he plans to do some coaching himself next year, and the new candidate would have to accept having Jones looking over his shoulder.