CONGRATULATIONS: Barry Switzer, Oklahoma’s Iconic Former Head Coach, Awarded the Prestigious National Football Foundation Gold Medal
Norman, Oklahoma – May 15, 2025 — In a moment that has stirred pride across Sooner Nation and the broader college football landscape, legendary University of Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer has been awarded the National Football Foundation’s (NFF) Gold Medal, the organization’s highest honor. The award recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their professional lives and made significant contributions to the advancement of football in America. With this recognition, Switzer joins a prestigious list of national leaders, including U.S. presidents, military heroes, business titans, and other sports icons.
The award was presented to Switzer during the 77th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, held at the New York Hilton Midtown, where a packed ballroom of football dignitaries, former players, university officials, and prominent figures in sports media gathered to honor a man who has become a cultural institution within the game.
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A Legendary Career Cemented in Glory
Barry Switzer’s name is etched in college football history. Over the course of his 16-year tenure (1973–1988) as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, Switzer amassed a stunning 157–29–4 record, winning three national championships (1974, 1975, and 1985), 12 Big Eight Conference titles, and coaching an unforgettable array of All-Americans and future NFL stars.
He is one of only three coaches in history to win both a college football national championship and a Super Bowl—the latter achieved in 1995 as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Yet despite his professional success at the NFL level, it’s his time in Norman that defines his legacy and heart.
“Barry Switzer didn’t just win football games,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning during the ceremony. “He built men, communities, and a national standard for what college football could become when led with passion, charisma, and grit.”
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The Gold Medal: A Lifetime of Impact
The NFF Gold Medal is awarded annually to individuals whose integrity, achievements, and dedication reflect the values that college football seeks to instill in its participants. Previous recipients include former U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, as well as football luminaries like Joe Paterno, Tom Osborne, and Bill Snyder.
In Switzer’s case, the award acknowledges not only his coaching brilliance but his lifelong commitment to public service, philanthropy, and youth development. Following his retirement from coaching, Switzer became an outspoken advocate for education, child welfare, and community service in Oklahoma and beyond.
He founded the Boots, Bags & Blessings program to support foster children and underprivileged families and has worked extensively with Native American communities and at-risk youth. For decades, he’s been a fixture at local events, fundraisers, and motivational programs, often showing up unannounced with his signature smile and unmatched storytelling charm.
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A Night of Tributes and Tears
The evening’s ceremony was packed with emotional tributes. A video montage of Switzer’s career and community work, narrated by actor and Oklahoma native James Marsden, brought tears to many attendees. Former players from across generations—ranging from Joe Washington and Billy Sims to Tony Casillas and Brian Bosworth—shared their stories of how “Coach Switz” changed their lives.
Sims, the 1978 Heisman Trophy winner, said, “When I was a kid out of Hooks, Texas, Coach Switzer saw something in me. He gave me more than a scholarship. He gave me a future. And when I got to Norman, I found a second father.”
The biggest applause of the night erupted when Switzer stepped onto the stage to accept the award. Wearing a crimson OU tie and flashing his trademark swagger, Switzer addressed the crowd with heartfelt emotion.
“I’ve had the honor of coaching great athletes, representing the greatest university in the land, and living a life of love, loyalty, and laughter,” he began. “But tonight, I’m humbled beyond words. This Gold Medal isn’t about wins or trophies. It’s about people, about lives touched, and about a game that’s given me everything.”
He continued: “Football isn’t just about Xs and Os. It’s about making boys into men. It’s about family, struggle, triumph, and second chances. That’s what I’ve always believed, and that’s why I love this game with everything I’ve got.”
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Legacy in the Heart of Oklahoma
Switzer’s enduring popularity in Oklahoma is unparalleled. Known as “The King” by many fans, his legacy extends far beyond the gridiron. On game days in Norman, Switzer is often seen mingling with fans, taking photos, and shouting “Boomer Sooner!” with the same enthusiasm he showed on the sidelines in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
In 2016, the University of Oklahoma honored him with a statue outside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It stands tall beside other Sooner legends, a physical reminder of the dynasty he built and the culture he helped shape.
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., who attended the ceremony in New York, said: “Barry Switzer transformed Oklahoma football. But more than that, he transformed lives. His impact will echo through generations, and we are proud to call him one of our own.”
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Reactions Across the Country
The announcement of the award sparked reactions from across the sports world:
Bob Stoops, Switzer’s coaching successor and fellow OU legend, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Nobody deserves it more than Coach Switzer. A mentor to me and countless others. #BoomerSooner”
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner, said in a statement: “Barry brought his unique style and leadership to our organization. He’s a champion in every sense of the word.”
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit called it “a long-overdue recognition of one of the greatest minds in college football history.”
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A Story Still Being Written
At age 87, Switzer remains active and vibrant. He still attends practices, conducts interviews, and mentors young coaches. Despite stepping away from formal coaching decades ago, he insists he’s never really retired.
“My office is wherever the next handshake or high-five is,” he quipped in his speech. “I’ll be around as long as the Sooners keep playing and these old bones let me walk.”
As the ballroom rose to its feet for a final ovation, Barry Switzer stood tall, a man whose story encapsulates the spirit of American football and whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
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Congratulations, Coach Switzer—Sooner Forever.
