Barry Switzer Dismisses Sideline Controversy, Praises DeMarco

DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- Barry Switzer has coached with the Dallas Cowboys. He's also worked with Jerry Jones.

So if anyone has intimate knowledge into the nuances of working with Jones, it's him.

Switzer was asked by Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan on Thursday about the controversial sideline appearance made by Jones in Monday night's loss to Washington.

"I never knew when he was down there," said Switzer, who coached the Cowboys from 1994-97. "You're in the ballgame. Your 11 players on the field. How they're competing against the other 11. How they're lining up...There are so many things you are calculating in your mind that you don't have time to look around and look in the stands and look who is on the sidelines. It doesn't make a damn. It don't know why people make such a big deal out of that."

Switzer said that Jones was simply cheering for his team when he came down to the sidelines -- and he has every right to do so.

"It's his team; he owns the thing; he owns the damn building. So I guess we're all lucky to be in the damn place if we pay for it."

Though Switzer doen't know specifically what went down on Monday night, he did debunk the myth that the owner is the one who determines if an injured player returns to the field.

"Doctors are the one's that make the decision. Jerry doesn't make the decision. The head coach doesn't make the decision...The player has a voice in it."

Switzer Endorsed DeMarco -- BEFORE The Draft

Switzer has obvious ties to the University of Oklahoma, having guided the program to three national championships in 16 years as head coach.

But he also has unique ties to Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, who is on pace to break the NFL's single season rushing record.

Switzer said he spoke with Jones a few days before the 2011 NFL Draft, expressing that the polarizing Murray was unquestionably a first-round talent.

"I knew he was a first round talent and his 4 years at Oklahoma -- I observed that, I saw it, saw the flashes," said Switzer.

And when Murray slid out of the first round and then the second in the draft, the Cowboys once again called Switzer.

"I told Jerry, 'You guys have to take him. You will regret not taking this kid...You know what, I was right. They took him and thank God they did.'"

Switzer also refuted the idea that Murray is expendable, saying he would re-sign the 26-year-old back after the season.

"They need to keep this guy, and they'll keep on doing what they're doing."

Hear the full interview with Switzer, including his comments on the recent '30 for 30: Brian and the Boz'

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Latest News:

Top Trending:

In:
• Jerry Jones