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Say it ain't so, Bill ... How dare Cowher talk to Cleveland
Sunday, June 24, 2007

By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The story was bizarre, the reaction to it almost laughable. An Internet site reported last week that Bill Cowher has had secret talks with officials from the Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns to explore a possible return to coaching in 2008. You would have thought the world was ending, to listen to the talk shows and saloon conversations around here. How dare he? The nerve of the man. The Browns?

Get over it, Pittsburgh.

Cowher owes you nothing. He owes the Steelers nothing. What? You thought he wasn't going to coach again? You're naive and foolish. Darn right he's going to coach again, sooner rather than later.

And why not Cleveland?

In a lot of ways, Cleveland is the perfect fit.

That isn't to say Cowher has talked to the Browns. It's hard to believe he or his agent has spoken to any of the teams. He's too big in the game to have to sneak around to find out what's going on. He should have too much respect for the coaches of those teams to do that. Maybe he hasn't been in the position of the Redskins' Joe Gibbs, 66, a Hall of Famer who probably will retire for good after the coming season. But he has been in the shoes of the Browns' Romeo Crennel and the Panthers' John Fox. He, too, was a coach under fire during the '98, '99 and '00 seasons when the Steelers failed to make the playoffs and he was fortunate the Rooneys picked him over player personnel man Tom Donahoe in their little power struggle. He wouldn't have appreciated another coach sniffing around for his job then, would he?

When the time comes, almost certainly after this season, Cowher won't need long to find the right team. He figures to go to the highest bidder, the owner that's willing to pay him $8 million per year or more. Why not? This is America, right?

Cowher still would be coaching the Steelers if the Rooneys had come up with the jack. Forget the party line that he wanted to spend more time with his family in North Carolina. He won a Super Bowl and was insulted the team didn't offer him more in a contract extension. That's his right. It's also the right of the Rooneys, who don't overpay for anyone.

Neither side owes the other anything. Cowher gave the Steelers 15 great years. The team compensated him well. If anything, Cowher did the Rooneys a favor by not insisting on coming back as a lame-duck coach this season in the final year of his contract, which would have been a bad situation for everyone. He chose to walk away from about $4 million and sit out the season, not just setting himself up to become an in-demand free agent in January, but enabling the Steelers to get on to the Mike Tomlin era.

And now you want to begrudge Cowher taking his next job?

Wasn't it just a few years ago that so many of us thought he couldn't win the big game and would have loved for him to leave?

Even for Cleveland?

Any number of NFL teams could take a run at Cowher. It wouldn't surprise anyone if Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones fired Wade Phillips after just one season to make a pitch for him. Patience is running thin with New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin. The same is true with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jon Gruden.

But the Panthers, Redskins and Browns probably make the most sense.

At least the Browns make sense.

Carolina would be convenient for Cowher because of his new mansion in Raleigh, but Fox might not be going anywhere. His five seasons with the Panthers have gone like this: 7-9, Super Bowl, 7-9, NFC championship game, 8-8. Do you see a trend? Fox and the Panthers are on schedule to have a big year.

Washington probably could pay Cowher the most, but does he really want to work for Dan Snyder? Talk about a culture shock after working for the ultra-supportive, ultra-patient Rooneys. Snyder has had five coaches since buying the Redskins in '99, Marty Schottenheimer among them for the '01 season. Do you think Schottenheimer might have a word or two of advice for his good pal, Cowher, about the job? You know, like, run the other way.

Cleveland really might be the best fit for Cowher. He was a Brown long before he was a Steeler, playing for the Browns from '80-82 and coaching them from '85-88. Cleveland fans would love to see him as their coach. They aren't as fortunate as you to be living here. Certainly, they don't know what it's like to experience a championship team. It's not hard to imagine Cowher getting it done for them, doing with Brady Quinn there what he did with Ben Roethlisberger here.

Terrifying?

Get over it.




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(Ron Cook can be reached at rcook@post-gazette.com. )

This is actually a reasonable article devoid of the sensationalism of the situation. I like Cowher a lot. He's the kind of coach I would love to play for. I think he is going to be in high demand and can pretty much pick which job will be best for him.

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This is actually a reasonable article devoid of the sensationalism of the situation.

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I agree, and that is the only reason I posted it. It's a viable topic for discussion, and it will be interesting to see where he lands if he does come back.

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I like Cowher a lot. He's the kind of coach I would love to play for.

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Agreed again.....knowledgeable, passionate, caring. He has a lot of good traits that many coaches fail to find.

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I think he is going to be in high demand and can pretty much pick which job will be best for him.

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Trey for trey...

I said all along that he probably wouldn't come back, but he's young enough where it will be hard for him to get it out of his blood. It will be interesting to see what happens.

LOL Interesting take. But it's true. My Brother is a diehard Steelers fan and he's totally upset that there is even a rumor about Cowher possibly coming to the Browns. He doesn't seem to care if he goes to Carolina or Washington at all, but the Browns... He got sick at the mere mention of it. Although I doubt it happens, I'm going to keep telling my brother that Cowher is coming to Cleveland.. just to see his reaction

Actually, the writer makes a good point. Cowher gave the Steelers 15 years. most of which were great years.. Two superbowls appearences and one win. There are worse things that could happen.

I find it hard to believe that the Steelers wouldn't come up with the Jack to keep Cowher. I mean, he was being paid 4 mil a year, what's another mill or two to keep him happy? The Rooneys are frugal, to be sure, but they aren't stupid. As much as I hate to say it, they are maybe the REAL model franchise out there. (oh god, I just got a terrible pain in my side for even saying that,,,,yuk)

I live in an area, that for some God forsaken reason, is infested with Steeler fans. The party line among them seems to be "Bill would NEVER coach the Browns. He's too loyal to the Rooneys"...BULLCRAP! Cowher is loyal to his ego, his family and his pocketbook. If he had a chance to turn around a VERY struggling franchise (the Browns) and take them to the promised land (championship), I think he'd be ALL over it! The question is, will Lerner want to give Cowher "absolute power" (coach/GM role) and dump Savage in the process?

People seem to forget that Cowher had strong ties to the Browns before he went to the Steelers. And it was no secret he wanted to coach here before he got the Steeler's job. Stranger things have happened.

What you say is true.... My question is, were Cowher's ties to the Northern Ohio area, or to the Modell franchise? I would love to see Cowher come to the Browns, but before we bring up loyalty, we have to determine to whom Cohwer is loyal to...

I don't believe that he would have any problems coming here. In fact, I believe that he would love to come to Cleveland. People made fun of Grossi earlier this year when he said Cleveland was Cowher's dream job. However, I remember Cowher saying that very thing a long, long time ago. That wasn't a case of Grossi blindly making something up.

I'm not saying that is going to happen, but it could.

I hope Crennel succeeds, but its hard to imagine him keeping his job without winning 6-7 games this year. Even though its early, its also hard to imagine this team winning more than 6 games in '07 ... so my guess is its about 50-50 that Romeo doesn't return in '08.

In which case, Cowher would be my number 1 choice to coach the Browns. I admire his approach to the game: a punishing running game, vertical passing game, a nice mix of trick / gadget plays AND - most importantly (to me) - an aggressive, attacking, swarming defense. In a way, I think Bill Cowher learned the lesson Marty never could master from that cold day in January 1987 ... when you have an opponent on the ground, you don't back off ... you dial up the pressure two or three notches.

My question is, which I hinted at in my post, to get Cowher, would Browns fans be willing to give up on Savage? I like what Savage has done, trying to clean up Butch's mess, but Cowher wants to be coach AND GM, from what I've heard, and Savage would most likely go "bye, bye".

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Question.................

Would you take Cowher with FULL control versus keeping Savage and going after a Ferentz????

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I'm content with allowing Savage the opportunity to see his plan through at the present time. We need to stay on a path instead of veering off of it repeatedly in different directions.

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I like what Savage has done, trying to clean up Butch's mess, but Cowher wants to be coach AND GM, from what I've heard,

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Where did you hear this??

I think that if the "Benjamin's" were right, then Cowher might be willing to back off on his wish to be GM. If not, then I'd rather take my chances with Savage and whoever he chooses to replace Crennel. I want my coach coaching - not scouting, not drafting, not negotiating contracts, etc.

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Would you take Cowher with FULL control versus keeping Savage and going after a Ferentz????

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That's a tough question. I know that the VAST MAJORITY of people on this board would support keeping Savage.

But, for me.....it's tougher. First of all, I think Cowher is the best coach in the NFL. He gets guys to play for him. He is not timid. He pays attention to detail. He is the supreme motivator. His guys think the world of him and respect him.

I also think he would be a perfect fit in Cleveland. He would bring back that hard working, aggressive, passionate style that is Cleveland. The people here would eventually love him and adopt him as one of their own.

The only negative I see is that we probably would have to make changes again. I don't want the entire thing blown up again. If a seamless transition could be made w/out a lot of upheaval, then I would be all for it. I just doubt it could happen that way.

So, my answer is..........at this time......I am undecided.

It is probably a moot point to worry about Savage. I'm thinking that Savage and Romeo are pretty much tied to each other for success or failure. Personally I hope they succeed...much rather not switch our entire philosophy yet again.

I'm torn...Leaning toward NO WAY rid ourselves of Savage...He MUST get the 5 years to produce...We're on our way to LONG TERM success...Hate to rip that up...

Keeping the 3-4 D would be key with the players acquired and I think it would be kept...A solid Defensive Line off season and we might just have something...

IMO Savage & Cowher could go down as the BEST 1-2 EVER...Including Polian & Belicheck...

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The only negative I see is that we probably would have to make changes again. I don't want the entire thing blown up again. If a seamless transition could be made w/out a lot of upheaval, then I would be all for it. I just doubt it could happen that way.

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Maybe there is a way for that to happen. At this moment, the Browns don't have a President that is a football guy (Lerner has assumed that position as you are already aware)

So "what if" Savage gets a promotion and Cowher is brought in to be HC and GM?

I kinda say this "tongue in cheek" because I don't like the joint position of HC/GM in the NFL.. Never have, never will. It's just that I think each job is tough enough for one man. Doing both jobs seems almost impossible!

I don't know how many successful situations have existed where the HC was also the GM of the team... I can't think of many off the top of my head.

So my feelings on Cowher coming in and replaceing both RAC and Savage aren't negative thoughts about Cowher himself, it's about the split role he would play.

If it should come to pass, I'll hope that my thinking is wrong.

Well........let's just say that you and the majority of people are way more sold on Savage than I am. I wouldn't want to keep Savage because I think he is so brilliant, I'm just reluctant to blow things up again.

In fact, I am totally opposed to blowing things up. Always have been and you can verify that. The only reason I am thinking it over is because I think Cowher is the best coach in the NFL and I think he is the PERFECT fit for the city of Cleveland. I always thought he belonged here. It would be nice to see the team play w/intensity and passion again. It would be great to have a team you can take pride in again. We haven't had that since the late 80s. That's 20 freaking years.

And there is no doubt in my mind Cowher could pull it off, but it might take awhile.

In regards to Savage........I do have doubts he can pull it off. However, he has a shot at doing it quicker.

Like I said..........tough call for me. And I ain't trying to convince anyone to agree w/me. It's my take and I won't be changing it no matter how loud the Savage Suckers yell.

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The Rooneys are frugal, to be sure, but they aren't stupid. As much as I hate to say it, they are maybe the REAL model franchise out there.

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They are.

They don't overpay for Free Agents, even their own. They generally re-sign a guy to a second deal, and then they let them go after that and wish them well.

They maintain CONTINUITY within their staff for the most part.

2nd day selections in April rarely make the team....

There are many things they do well as an organization, and this begats success on the playing field.

I imagine that how cowher and savage approach the draft is very different. If they both where together, I imagine that they would clash some.

Vers, you make some great points about stability. it's a tough call. get a new coach, one of the best and have some more instability, or stay the course with romeo and see what we have. Nothing personal with Romeo, but i'd go with Cowher and keep as much of the coaching staff as I can. If he could step in and gradually put his stamp on things without rocking the boat too much at a time, we'd have some stability and a slow change instead of the white water rapids we've had the last couple of years.

There's something to be said about stability too. I like romeo, I really do. but cowher is on a different plane.

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Vers, you make some great points about stability. it's a tough call. get a new coach, one of the best and have some more instability, or stay the course with romeo and see what we have. Nothing personal with Romeo, but i'd go with Cowher and keep as much of the coaching staff as I can.

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A new HC comes in, the coaching staff changes. It's a fact of life.

You can't hire a guy and say "Oh by the way we want you to keep Grantham and Chud and ______ and ________ and ________."

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he's totally upset that there is even a rumor about Cowher possibly coming to the Browns. He doesn't seem to care if he goes to Carolina or Washington at all, but the Browns... He got sick at the mere mention of it.

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Yet, it was okay when Brown's, Chuck Noll, helped turn the Steeler's offense around. That was okay, I bet with Steelerland. LOL

Would you take Cowher with FULL control versus keeping Savage and going after a Ferentz????

This is a huge key that is often overlooked. The Browns was burned horribly when giving a coach full control. I dont see another browns coach ever coming close to the kind of control Davis had. It just aint gonna happen.

Savage has final say over the roster and Cowher will want full control wherever he goes. If Romeo is replaced it will be with someone that Savage already has some experience with and someone that will not demand full control.

Romeo has been loyal to his ass't coaches in the past...but recently he was forced to get rid of a few. With several new coaches on board not much loyalty can be expected towards Crennel or from Crennel.

Crennel has served his purpose and needs to move onto another assignment where he has the opportunity to be successful and appreciated. His run is up in Cleveland and as unfortunate as that is...it is going to happen.

Cowher would be great for the fans and the team...but without Savage some of our expectations are crushed. How many ex Steeler types do we want running the team?

I'd keep Savage and hire a young and promising disciplined coach[think similar to Nolan in S.F., Peyton in N.O] who coaches first and only coaches. Cowher is a great coach but wants to be Paul Brown reincarnated with total control....he isn't Paul Brown.

Ya .. lets bring him in as GM and Coach .. cause thats worked so well in so many other places ... .. just look at how bOtch did here with both .. *L* ..

the only GM/Coach thats come REMOTELY CLOSE is Parcells .. and isn't it interesting that he won a SB as coach and none as coach/gm ... same with Jimmy Johnson ... he won a SB in Dallas as a coach and STUNK UP THE JOINT IN MIAMI as both ..

Coach/GM with FULL CONTROL is wayto much .. has been a DISMALL FAILURE FOR THE MOST PART ... but hey ... lets try it again cause Bills a good coach ...

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I don't view Chud and Grantham as Romeo's assistants...I view them as Phil's assistants with Romeo being senior assistant.

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I view your view as being twisted and having no basis in reality.

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I wouldn't be shocked to one day see both coordinators named co-headcoach and Savage on the sideline on gameday deciding when to go for it and throw a red flag.

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Now you've really gone over the edge!

Did you put JD in your grits this morning?

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Coach/GM with FULL CONTROL is wayto much ..

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Didn't Mike Holmgrem do that for awhile with the Seahawks, and then relinquish the GM duties because of the exessive load?

I'm pretty sure he did. I seem to remember reading a story about that a couple of years ago before we played them and they dismantled us.

I've been saying for awhile that Cowher would come to Cleveland if and when we fired Romeo. We better have a big year this year, or Romeo is going to be out and Cowher will be in, IMO.

i really like cowher... i think he's a great coach, his players always seem to have that great respect for him, and love playing for him... and he teaches a very good, physical style of football.. the truth is, he'd be perfect for the browns...

but...

i don't know if i want to give up phil savage to give bill cowher complete control... i don't know if i really like the idea of that...

especially if some of these players he's drafted starting panning out... the braylon edwards', the brodney pools, guys like jackson, and williams...

not to say that cowher can do a gm's job, while doing a coach's job... i just think with our situation, it might not be smart to gamble on that...

Am I the only one here who thinks hiring Cowchin would be a huge mistake?

Holmgren is another fine example ... as a coach in GB a SB winning coach ... as a GM is Seattle .. the owner MADE HIM RELINQUISH GM duties ..

its way to much ... its been proven and IMO is a dying situation .. Parcells started it and the trial period is over and the results weren't good .. it FAILED ...