Jones Turns Dallas Into Switzer-Land : Cowboys: One day after Johnson leaves, former Oklahoma coach gets the job.

The football world discovered Wednesday that there indeed exists something more implausible than the Dallas Cowboys without Jimmy Johnson.

The Dallas Cowboys with Barry Switzer.

Owner Jerry Jones didn’t even wait until the hair spray was cold before replacing Johnson with Switzer, a former University of Oklahoma coach who has not worked on a football field in five years and never in the NFL.

Switzer, who was Jones’ freshman coach at University of Arkansas, becomes the third coach in the Cowboys’ 35-year history. He inherits a defending two-time Super Bowl championship team that was built by Johnson, who resigned Tuesday after a prolonged personality clash with Jones.

“Get ready to watch the Dallas Cowboys be the best in the NFL,” Switzer said at a news conference Wednesday in Irving, Tex. “We have a job to do and we’re gonna do it, baby!”

Switzer, 56, won three national titles in 16 seasons at Oklahoma before resigning amid scandal in 1989.

Switzer will have much less input on personnel decisions than Johnson, immediately evident when it was announced that he will keep every current Cowboy coach, including new offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese and defensive coordinator Butch Davis.

It was a smart first step in gaining confidence of players who earlier had scoffed at the idea of playing for him.

“I think Barry is an outstanding coach and the transition should be smooth,” said Troy Aikman, the Cowboys’ quarterback, who met with Jones and Switzer on Wednesday. “He’s keeping the same staff. We’re keeping the same offense and defense. I think we’ll be comfortable with what he’s trying to do.”

Aikman was recruited by Switzer out of high school in Henryetta, Okla., while being promised that the Sooners were switching to a passing offense. When Switzer reneged on that promise, Aikman transferred to UCLA.

Switzer implied that he would not attempt to bring that same wishbone offense to the NFL.

“There will not be any changes,” he said. “I hope the Cowboys don’t change. Jimmy and I are a lot alike. We’ve always been motivated and able to communicate to our teams. I just hope I can be compared to what Jimmy did.”

Switzer won 84% of his games at Oklahoma (157-29-4), the fourth-best percentage in college football history. The Sooners won the first 30 games that Switzer coached, including two national championships during that time.

But by the time he resigned, the football program had been placed on NCAA probation, three players had been charged with rape, another was charged with shooting a teammate, and his quarterback was indicted on cocaine-related charges.

He has spent the last five years as a businessman in Oklahoma City.

“I never thought I would have an opportunity,” he said of coaching in the NFL. “I thought my time had passed.”

Jones, who Switzer claimed called him as early as last week about the job, was apparently the only executive in football who had been waiting to give him that opportunity.

Jones first mentioned Switzer’s name during a late-night session with writers last week at the NFL owner’s meetings in Orlando, Fla., loudly proclaiming that he should fire Johnson and hire Switzer.

It was that comment, which was later relayed to Johnson, that led to Monday’s parting.

“The guy next to me has my total personal trust and commitment,” Jones said of Switzer. “I feel very confident that the continuity can be kept in place and be motivated.”

In three of Switzer’s final four years at Oklahoma, his only loss came at the hands of University of Miami, which was coached by Johnson.

He will have an even more difficult task stepping out of Johnson’s shadow in Dallas.

“Jimmy wasn’t a big X’s and O’s guy, but he had a special ability to keep those players focused, intense and believing in each other and him,” said Bob Ackles, the Phoenix Cardinals’ assistant general manager, who helped build the Cowboys. “It’s going to be very difficult to replace that.”

Running back Emmitt Smith, who announced several days ago that he wanted to be fired if Johnson was fired, was acting Wednesday as if he would give Switzer a chance.

“There is no need for me to moan and groan,” he said. “I have to make the best of the situation and keep moving.”

The only Cowboy still openly hostile about the decision was receiver Michael Irvin, who slammed doors at the training facility and refused comment. He was apparently sticking to his earlier answer when asked if he would play for Switzer.

“Hell no,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.