DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Steelers' Cowher might reveal plans next week

[color:"white"] As I felt a month or two ago, that he is getting a little tired of being away from family and would be considering retiring after this season. I also think that Russ Grimm could be his replacement. JMHO.[/color]


PITTSBURGH (Dec. 26, 2006) -- Bill Cowher apparently won't make anyone wait to learn if he will return as the Pittsburgh Steelers' coach next season.

Cowher is expected to announce his future plans within a few days of the season-ending game Dec. 31 at Cincinnati, one that is without playoff implications for the no-longer-defending Super Bowl champion Steelers (7-8).

"That's for next week," Cowher said when asked if he would return next season. "We'll talk about that next week. It won't go long. I'm not sure what the time frame is. But I think the most important thing is to be focused on this game."

That he appears ready to announce his decision quickly could be a sign the Steelers might soon be looking for a new coach for only the second time since 1969. Chuck Noll (1969-91) and Cowher (1992-present) have been their only coaches since then.

If Cowher decides to retire -- if only briefly -- and not finish out a contract that expires after the 2007 season, the Steelers want to begin searching for a new coach as soon as possible since three or four other NFL teams also could be in the market for a coach.

Two Steelers assistants, offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm, are seen as viable candidates -- even though the Steelers haven't promoted a coach from within since Mike Nixon in 1965. And he lasted only one season.

Several players, including Joey Porter, said recently they expect Cowher to return for a 16th season. Only last week, Cowher laughed at suggestions that he is tired of coaching at age 49, saying, "Do I look burned out?"

Cowher's tenure is the longest with his current team of any NFL coach, and a season or two away from the game watching his three daughters play basketball might increase Cowher's already-high market value.

Cowher is making $4 million-plus under his current contract, which he signed in 2004. If he were to sign a new deal with the Steelers, he likely would make in the $5.5 million-$6 million range.

But Cowher -- who would be a highly attractive candidate for any NFL owner desperate to win quickly -- conceivably could make more on the open market, perhaps even more than Mike Holmgren's estimated $8 million with Seattle.

When Cowher signed his latest Steelers extension in 2004, he emphasized money wasn't a motivating factor.

"You couldn't have a better job," he said. "It's not about the market or the money, it's about the winning."

Right now, it appears the market has become an issue.

Cowher's wife and youngest daughter moved to the family's new home in Raleigh, N.C., earlier this year, and Cowher made several trips there during the season. Being an absentee father no doubt doesn't appeal to Cowher, but an NFL coach's job has become all encompassing with offseason workouts, minicamps, coaching sessions and the draft.

The Steelers aren't interested in a part-time head coach, even one who has been as successful as Cowher.

Cowher declined to discuss his situation in detail, saying the Steelers need to concentrate on beating the Bengals (8-7) and finishing at .500, even though a 31-7 loss to Baltimore on Dec. 24 ended their playoff chances.

"Our goal is to go down there and get this taste out of our mouth and, more importantly, finish the season at 8-8," Cowher said. "We'll do that. Playing Cincinnati with a game like that, there's a lot at stake, just pride-wise. It's always been like that."

With the playoffs no longer a possibility, does it really make that much difference if the Steelers wind up 8-8 rather than 7-9?

"Finishing strong is very important because that's what you take into next year," Cowher said.

The Steelers also wouldn't mind ending Cincinnati's season, just as they did in the playoffs last January. The Bengals, who won in Pittsburgh 28-20 on Sept. 24, must win to retain any playoff hopes, though the Jets and Broncos can secure the two AFC wild-card spots by winning.

"Misery loves company," Cowher said. "And we're looking for company."

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

I agree. I think Grimm would make an excellent replacement. In fact, I wanted him here instead of RAC. Jury's still out on that one.......

I would take cowher in a minute over the pacifist teddy bear

If he leaves, he's taking a break from coaching so you will have to probably wait a year or so before he became available... Personally I'm not about waiting or making a move just yet...

Yeah.....i know he is sitting but I am just trying to see if we cant get some lunacy posted about how RAC is a better fit and a bucnh of negative stuff about the chin.

I just love that. That's cool.

Please, Chin, take the Bettis approach and ride off into the sunset. <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Adam Schefter on the NFL channel this afternoon said Cowers announcement will come on Tuesday, once the seasons over.

He is probably going to take a break as many of the good one's do. George Allen,Joe Gibbs,Bill Bellichek[stepped back to a coordinator's position, Dick Vermeil plus several others took some time off from Head Coaching duties to reconnect with life . Then a gain who knows...the Rooney family isn't about to pay the 7-8 million that the market might bear for Cowher...we'll have to see.

LOL,,, What happened that all of a sudden made them the "no longer" defending SB Champs,,,,LOL Dumb Writer to say the least..

As for the article,,, I know that we Browns fans take our fair share of pot shots as all things Steeler,,, But putting the rivalry aside for a second,,, Cowher has been one heck of a coach... In 15 seasons,,, he's had what,, 3 losing seasons,,, he's appeared in numerous playoff games and two Superbowls winning one....

So if next season, we find ourselves in need of another HC and Cowher is available,,, I am one Browns fan that will welcome him with open arms...

The Steelers were eliminated from playoff contention because of their loss to the Ravens. Hence they can no longer defend their make the playoffs, nor defend their championship.

Nothing dumb about it really.

Wrongo ,,,,, They are still the defending Superbowl Champs,,, they will be until someone wins the next one,,, True that they can't defend the title,,, but they are still the defending champs,,,,

Once one has been eliminated from contention, they can no longer defend their title. They have lost that ability. To defend one's title means implies the possibility of retaining that title. In order to retain, they would have to be in position to make the playoffs. It is indisputable that they will not make the playoffs. Not making the playoffs eliminates any possible way for them to retain, or defend their title. If it is impossible for them to retain (or defend) their title, they can no longer accurately be called "defending" champions.

Semantics, perhaps ... but accurate on the writer's part. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

"Steelers' Cowher might reveal plans next week"

It makes me wonder what also might happen next week? I'm on pins and needles.

Jim Mora Jr. should be freed up to go to that Washington gig! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I hope Cowher hangs it up for good...I don't want him in Cleveland. Even if he was a winner in Pigsburgh...With our talent level I think he would have the same results as Romeo.

Operating on a timeline established during a Tuesday morning meeting with Steelers ownership, Bill Cowher will return to Pittsburgh next Monday to reveal plans for his NFL future.

Cowher
Cowher

The consensus among high-ranking team officials, and sources around the NFL, is that Cowher will retire as coach of the Steelers after 15 seasons. In fact, it will be stunning if Cowher returns to the team to fulfill the final year of his current contract.

The reason? Ostensibly to spend more time with his family.

There has been rampant speculation since last May, when it was revealed that Cowher and his wife had purchased a home in Raleigh, N.C., that 2006 would be his last season with the team. That speculation was fueled when contract discussions between the Steelers and Cowher's representative failed to produce an extension to his deal.

He has been purposely cryptic about his plans but, in a late-season conference call with Carolina-area media, Cowher acknowledged he would resolve his status for the future shortly after the season ended.

Cowher huddled early Tuesday morning with owner Dan Rooney and team president Art Rooney II before driving to Raleigh to join his wife and the couple's youngest daughter, who lived there all season. During the Tuesday meeting, Steelers ownership did not attempt to press Cowher for a more expeditious decision on his future, and agreed that he should take some time to deliberate.

Within the Steelers' inner circle, it has been widely accepted that a decision would come early next week -- and that Cowher would likely walk away from the NFL for at least a year. One organizational source said that he felt Cowher "had one foot out the door" as early as last spring. Cowher has conceded that, after the team's Super Bowl XL victory 11 months ago, he considered retirement.

Once his existing contract with the Steelers expires following the 2007 season, he would be free to seek employment elsewhere. If Cowher exits the game now, many believe he will explore jobs in broadcasting for the 2007 season.

Typical of Pittsburgh management, the Steelers will allow the situation to play out and will then react. Even though the Steelers slumped to 8-8 in 2006, the roster remains a talented one and the club is capable of a quick rebound.

That, plus the stability and support of ownership makes a Pittsburgh vacancy -- if there is one -- the plum job of all the current openings. Steelers management is confident, should Cowher leave, that it will find a suitable successor.

In-house candidates almost certainly would include assistant head coach Russ Grimm and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, both of whom are candidates for other current openings around the league as well. The Steelers also would interview several outside candidates.

In his 15 seasons, Cowher has compiled a 161-99-1 record, including playoff games. Under his stewardship, the Steelers have won eight division titles, earned 10 playoff berths, advanced to the conference championship game six times, appeared in two Super Bowl games and won one.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

Link

I'm not saying I want this....though it'd be interesting:

Cowher retires for one year
RAC struggles in 2007
RAC gets fired this time next year
Cowher is available after the timeline runs out on his contract
Lerner makes a push to bring Cowher to the Browns for 2008

I think this would be MORE interesting...

Cowher retires and fades into the abyss...
RAC goes 8-8 next year...
RAC goes 13-3 the following year and is voted coach of the year and wins his first of 3 consecutive super bowls... <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />