"He had the toughness to walk into a situation that was as great as challenge as any football coach has ever faced in the NFL," said team owner Jerry Jones, at a news conference at team headquarters. "Barry Switzer was the right man for the right time."
Switzer decided to step down as Cowboys coach after a 6-10 season that ended with five straight losses. It was the first losing record for the Cowboys since they finished 7-9 in 1990 under Jimmy Johnson.

"At this time I believe a fresh start at this position will give the Cowboys their greatest opportunity to return to the top," Switzer said in a statement. "I am deeply proud of what our players and coaches have been able to accomplish. A Super Bowl championship and three division titles are a source of great pride for this organization and its fans." In 1999, the Barry Switzer Center, a $5.57 million building which houses a new weight room, a training room, coaches offices and a ''legends hall'' to honor former OU athletes in all sports was dedicated on the University of Oklahoma campus in his honor.

The building, is adjacent to the south end zone building of Memorial Stadium. It's use is intended for all OU athletes, not just football players.

''Life holds very few moments for people, and today is one of those moments for me,'' Switzer told a crowd of several hundred, which included coaches, former players, athletic department employees and fans, at the dedication ceremony.

The warm feelings for Switzer were evident during the ceremony. The crowd gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced and again when he finished his remarks. He drew a roar when he said one reason it was nice to be on hand for the ceremony was because ''it's always great to come home, north of the Red River, where I'm appreciated.''