July 15, 2005
Fanblogs Exclusive: Switzer confirms coaching legends poll
Today at Dallas Love Field airport, sitting between Gates 12 & 15, I sat down with former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, his blue & white hawaiian-ish shirt, and his leather day bags.
Note: I did not tape record this conversation. The following is my best recollection of the actual conversation.
Fanblogs: Coach, there's a rumor that you, Bo Schembechler, Dooley and a couple of others are starting a new poll. True?
Switzer: Well, there's a few old guys that are getting together to talk about that. Yeah.
F: Do you think y'all could do a better job than the current coaches poll?
S: Shoot yeah. Those guys don't have time to watch other teams. They watch the teams they're going to play and the rest comes from everywhere else.
F: Everywhere else?
S: The media, assistants, you know. Just following it loosely.
F: How were these coaches selected?
S: I can't say. They called and talked to some guys and it just kinda went from there. The one fella that's heading it up knows a lot of the guys.
F: So this is going to happen?
S: Nothing is 100% ever, but yeah, it looks like it.
F: Are they going to add any other coaches?
S: Listen, I really don't know a lot about it, so.... I just have to see like everybody else.
F: OK, thanks, Coach.
At that point, Switzer and his huge ring were attracting the autograph seekers. He left me to sign for a couple kids and to shake hands with some guys.
Lots of questions remain unanswered, including "Why was Switzer flying Southwest?" That will have to wait until next time, I guess.
In the meantime, I guess the MCS poll is on.
Comments:
schmed said:
posted on July 15, 2005 6:19 PM — 208.248.231.58 — link — abuse?
Just as I was gathering up a pile of jealous pangs because I'm not Kevin, sitting in the D-L A-Pote next to Barry Switzer, I recalled that the aforementioned couching ledge-end has a history of publicly exhibiting wildly manic and unpredictable behavior. Probably safer than an unsearched-for-fear-of-profiling Middle-Easterner nervously checking and rechecking his ticking, reeks-of-fulminate-of-mercury backpack, but still...
But, you get Vince Dooley's take and I'll climb aboard.
Jon Johnston said:
posted on July 19, 2005 5:14 PM — 205.215.222.142 — link — abuse?
Does anyone really think that Bo Schembechler could rank Ohio State anywhere close to what they really deserved? If you thought other polls were biased, it'll be really interesting to see what bung this thing puts out.
posted on July 19, 2005 5:24 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
I have no question that this coaches have their favorites. That being said, they're being paid for their services and their reputations are the ones out there for the public to judge. I think each would handle their responsibilites in an exceptionally professional manner. Bring on the poll!
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Paulwesterdawg said:
posted on July 15, 2005 5:48 PM — 216.52.200.16 — link — abuse?Maybe he knows a good deal when he sees it. Barry Switzer: Famous Head Coach, Booze Hound, Pollster, Bargain Airfare Shopper. He's a man of many interests