Posted on 01/04/2007 1:26:42 PM PST by mainepatsfan
Cowher expected to leave Steelers after 15 seasons
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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.
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
Sad day for Steeler Nation. I'm betting that Whisenhut will take over.
Can't say I blame him, 15 yrs is a long time to be doing the same job. Plus, the Rooneys have never been known to throw money at people, Cowher is making half the salary of the guy he beat in the Super Bowl. Still, I'd say they are the best owners in all of professional sports. 2 coaches in 37 years, thats loyalty, they stuck by him when it seemed like he just couldn't win the big game.
He'll take a year off and then come back in the NFL, his stock will continue to rise and he will have truckloads of cash thrown at him.
If he goes to Miami the three parties will need to come to an agreement, Cowher is still under contract for another year so before there can even be serious talks the Steelers would have to release him from that year (ala the Gruden or Edwards "trades"). Which is fine by this Steelers fan, never say no to more draft picks.
It's either going to be Whisenhunt or Grimm, they're both hot properties. Grimm actually has "assistant headcoach" in his title so it would be a smaller promotion for him, but which ever one they don't pick will almost definitely be a headcoach somewhere else next year. I'm hoping for Whisenhunt, I like the way the offense has been working under him (I'm talking about the calling not the execution which was terrible this year), which isn't a vote against Grimm. They're both in their mid-40s and in good shape for another "typical" Steelers reign.
Yeah, I wouldn't really want Cowher if it meant draft picks. I'm fine with Cam Cameron. Norm Chow would be alright too, as would Ron Rivera.
Classy guy leaving a classy organization in a classy way.
Since he took over as Steelers coach the Steelers have the most wins in the NFL and the #1 ranked defense over that period. The owners traditionally never resigned a big name to a big contract. What that meant for the coaching staff was that they had to constantly rebuild thru the draft or free agency. Other than 3 seasons during his tenure the Steelers had a winning record.
Even if you do not like him you should respect him.
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