Switzer, Johnson reunite as ‘Grumpy Old Coaches'

By Mel Bracht

Published: September 6, 2007

Barry Switzer doesn't hold grudges. It's one reason he and Jimmy Johnson are teaming up for a weekly "Grumpy Old Coaches” segment that makes its debut Sunday on Fox's popular "NFL Sunday” pregame show at 11 a.m. on KOKH-25 (Cox 12).

Johnson admitted tension between him and Switzer grew after Switzer replaced Johnson as the Dallas Cowboys' coach.

After going about three years without talking to him, Johnson said he placed a call to Switzer from his home in the Florida Keys.

"I said, ‘Barry, listen I know we haven't talked and there was some tension when I left the Cowboys, etc., and I just wanted to tell you there's no hard feelings at all.'

"And he said, ‘What the hell? Are you dying?'” said Johnson, with a chuckle. "He thought I was on my deathbed, and I was going to call everybody and make amends.”

Said Switzer: "I've never felt any animosity toward Jimmy. It's always a competitive nature. I've always admired and respected the job that he did. I was fortunate. I won with his players (in Dallas). I have no problem with that.”

Switzer and Johnson, the only two coaches to win a college football national championship and a Super Bowl, developed a coaching rivalry in the 1980s, when Johnson's Miami teams beat Switzer's OU teams three consecutive seasons. The former University of Arkansas football players likely will spin old coaching stories on their segment, which will emphasize college football. Terry Bradshaw, a grumpy old quarterback, will be the moderator.

After a year on the road, Fox's "NFL Sunday' returns to its Los Angeles studio. Curt Menefee takes over as full-time host.

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