Switzer, Jackson Headed For College Football Hall Of Fame

April 19, 2001

B. Switzer Audio

J. Shipp Audio

B. Stoops Audio

NORMAN, Okla. - Legendary University of Oklahoma head football coach Barry Switzer and former OU tight end Keith Jackson are members of the 2001 Division I-A College Football Hall of Fame class, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced this afternoon at a press conference in New York, N.Y. The pair helps comprise a list of three coaches and 15 players who will be inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in August 2002.

Helping introduce the famed wishbone offense to OU, Switzer coached the Sooners for 16 years (1973 to 1988) and guided his squads to a 157-29-4 record for a remarkable .837 winning percentage, the fourth best percentage in NCAA Division I-A history. Oklahoma won three national championships (1974, 1975 and 1985) under Switzer and also captured 12 Big Eight Conference titles and eight bowl victories in 13 appearances. Switzer, who did not lose as OU's head coach until his 31st game, also coached the Dallas Cowboys for four seasons (1994 to 1997) and directed the Cowboys to a Super Bowl XXX title.

"The greatest honor that could be bestowed upon a collegiate player or coach is to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame," said Switzer, who lives in Norman. "I think about all of the inductees who came before me and it's a tremendous honor to join that group. This reflects the hard work of so many University of Oklahoma assistant coaches and players. They all made this possible. This honor represents all of us."

The most prolific tight end in OU history, Jackson somehow managed to rack up 1,470 career receiving yards and 14 touchdowns for Sooner teams that dominated opponents with their running attacks. A three-time All-Big Eight selection and a consensus All-American in his junior and senior campaigns of 1986 and 1987, Jackson's versatility as a receiver, runner and blocker made him an awesome threat. He averaged an astounding 26.5 yards per catch over his last three years. During OU's 1985 national championship campaign, Jackson totaled a career-high 486 yards on 20 catches. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft and also played for the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. Jackson was a key component on Green Bay's Super Bowl XXXI championship team.

"When you're a college athlete you always want to play to the best of your ability and be known as one of the best to ever play the game," commented Jackson. "This is something that says you did a good job at your position while you were there. I was excited to learn about the induction for a couple of reasons. First, I knew Coach Switzer also made it and that means we'll have the opportunity to go in together and cap off all those great seasons we had. Second, when you look at the great list of players who have come out of Oklahoma, especially during the era that I was there, a lot of those guys will have the opportunity to make it to the Hall of Fame. I'm excited because now is that time for me."

Switzer will become the third former Oklahoma head coach to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Bennie Owen and Bud Wilkinson. Jackson will become the 14th former OU player to be inducted into the Hall. This marks the third straight year a former Sooner player has been named to the Hall's induction class.

Enshrinement for the 2001 class will take place in August 2002 at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. The complete list of the 2001 Hall of Fame class follows.

2001 College Football Hall of Fame Class

Coaches

Barry Switzer Oklahoma               1973-88 157-29-4

Grant Teaff McMurry, Angelo St., Baylor   1960-92 170-151-8

Bill Yeoman Houston               1962-86 160-108-8

Players

Jon Arnett Southern CaliforniaHalfback1954-56

Kevin Butler Georgia        Placekicker1981-84

Anthony Carter Michigan        Wide Receiver1979-82

Dick Duden Navy                End        1943-45

Tim Green Syracuse        Def. Tackle1983-85

Ralph Guglielmi Notre Dame        Quarterback1951-54

John Hicks Ohio State        Tackle        1970, 72-73

Keith Jackson Oklahoma        Tight End1984-87

Terry Kinard Clemson        Defensive Back1979-82

D.D. Lewis Mississippi StateLinebacker1965-67

Donald McCauley North Carolina        Running Back1968-70

John Outland Kansas, PennsylvaniaTackle        1895, 97-99

Glenn Ressler Penn State        Lineman        1962-64

Brad Van Pelt Michigan State        Defensive Back1970-72

Steve Young Brigham Young        Quarterback1981-83

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Switzer, Jackson Headed For College Football Hall Of Fame

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