Cowher decision expected to be announced Monday (1 Viewer)

[jetpack]

Feel free to merge this w/another thread.

Here is the story: Cowher Decision

 

[SteelerMurf]

Feel free to merge this w/another thread.

Here is the story: Cowher Decision

That would be interesting. If he retires with one year left on his contract, is he obligated to return to the Steelers if he wants to coach again?

 

[nightshift]

Feel free to merge this w/another thread.

Here is the story: Cowher Decision

That would be interesting. If he retires with one year left on his contract, is he obligated to return to the Steelers if he wants to coach again?

From the article:Some have speculated that Cowher may become a candidate to replace Nick Saban as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, one of the NFL's more storied franchises. Cowher still has one year remaining on his contract with the Steelers, which would prohibit him from coaching in the NFL in 2007 without some form of compensation -- either monetary or draft picks. The Steelers could also argue if Cowher takes another NFL coaching position after 2007 they should be awarded with compensation because he has one year remaining on his contract.

 

[Rooster]

Feel free to merge this w/another thread.

Here is the story: Cowher Decision

That would be interesting. If he retires with one year left on his contract, is he obligated to return to the Steelers if he wants to coach again?

From the article:Some have speculated that Cowher may become a candidate to replace Nick Saban as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, one of the NFL's more storied franchises. Cowher still has one year remaining on his contract with the Steelers, which would prohibit him from coaching in the NFL in 2007 without some form of compensation -- either monetary or draft picks. The Steelers could also argue if Cowher takes another NFL coaching position after 2007 they should be awarded with compensation because he has one year remaining on his contract.

They'd have a pretty good argument too. Ricky Williams has to honor the number of years in his contract rather than the calendar length before it is considered fufilled. Of course, this assumes that the contracts for players and coaches is reasonably similar in language.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Please don't let Atlanta snag Whisenhunt before this goes down.

 

[nightshift]

Please don't let Atlanta snag Whisenhunt before this goes down.

Amen bro. (I don't think Atlanta will. I think Ken is just getting HC interviewing experience plus leverage for negotiations.)If Cowher doesn't have the fire in his belly to HC, then it is the right decision. Wisenhunt at HC, Grimm at OC & the Steelers will be ready to rumble in 2007!

 

[nightshift]

The Miami Herald reports days before Dolphins HC Nick Saban bolted Wednesday for the University of Alabama, the Dolphins had put together a list of potential replacements for the coach who said he wouldn't leave. Owner Wayne Huizenga, team president Bryan Wiedmeier, Dolphins Enterprises CEO Joe Bailey and Dolphins Enterprises CFO William Pierce assembled the list of names that might include the Dolphins' next leader. Among the potential candidates, possibly even atop the list, are Pittsburgh Steelers HC Bill Cowher, Southern Cal HC Pete Carroll, San Diego OC Cam Cameron and Chicago Bears DC Ron Rivera. The Dolphins have already received permission to interview Cameron later this week. If Pittsburgh grants the Dolphins permission to speak with Cowher its coach, a person close to Cowher said Wednesday he would be willing to listen. Although Cowher has a year remaining on his contract and is said to be on a family retreat in North Carolina to mull his future in Pittsburgh, the man who guided the Steelers to two Super Bowl trips and the title last season wants to coach again. Dolphins OC Mike Mularkey and DC Dom Capers, both former head coaches, also coached under Cowher in Pittsburgh. Capers suggested he would like to be considered for the Miami opening. Mularkey would not say. It's not known if they would stay if Cowher were hired. There are obstacles to Cowher joining the Dolphins. He reportedly wants a contract extension in Pittsburgh that would pay in excess of $7 million annually; the Steelers offered $6 million. And the Steelers would demand draft-choice compensation in return for releasing him from his contract. The Dolphins also would have to gauge Cowher's personal situation to see if he indeed is willing to take on a job long-term rather than for a two- to five-year spurt.

Still don't think this about money? C'mon Mr. Rooney, cough up the mil and keep Bill!

 

[Godsbrother]

Please don't let Atlanta snag Whisenhunt before this goes down.

Amen bro. (I don't think Atlanta will. I think Ken is just getting HC interviewing experience plus leverage for negotiations.)If Cowher doesn't have the fire in his belly to HC, then it is the right decision. Wisenhunt at HC, Grimm at OC & the Steelers will be ready to rumble in 2007!

If Cowher is indeed coming Monday to announce his resignation then I would think he has already told the Steelers of his decision. If that is the case there is a good chance the Steelers have told Whisenhunt nd asked him to hold off accepting another HC position until they can sit down and talk. However even if Whisenhunt is the Steeler's man they aren't going to hire him right away. They are going to have to give Grimm an interview and they'll have to bring in at least one minority candidate.It should be interesting to see how Cowher announces his resignation. If he says the reason is to spend more time with his family and then accepts a job with the Dolphins he'll open himself up to a lot of criticism (not that it really matters...).

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I'm not sure how accurate this is. They mention in there that "after he works as an analyst with NBC this weekend...." he will render a decision. I have read elsewhere that he's already declined the analyst gig.

 

[jetpack]

Please don't let Atlanta snag Whisenhunt before this goes down.

Amen bro. (I don't think Atlanta will. I think Ken is just getting HC interviewing experience plus leverage for negotiations.)If Cowher doesn't have the fire in his belly to HC, then it is the right decision. Wisenhunt at HC, Grimm at OC & the Steelers will be ready to rumble in 2007!

If Cowher is indeed coming Monday to announce his resignation then I would think he has already told the Steelers of his decision. If that is the case there is a good chance the Steelers have told Whisenhunt nd asked him to hold off accepting another HC position until they can sit down and talk. However even if Whisenhunt is the Steeler's man they aren't going to hire him right away. They are going to have to give Grimm an interview and they'll have to bring in at least one minority candidate.It should be interesting to see how Cowher announces his resignation. If he says the reason is to spend more time with his family and then accepts a job with the Dolphins he'll open himself up to a lot of criticism (not that it really matters...).

Agreed. But this is also assuming that the Steelers are Whisenhunt's first choice. As a local Atlanta guy, maybe the Falcons gig is his dream job. Sacreledge I know, but it's possible the field for new coach is wide open right now. Personally, I think the Rooneys will look at some guys we haven't even considered yet.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

From WPXI's "Coach Cowher Watch" :

Wednesday, 1/3 at 9:30 a.m. -- Despite rumors this morning, David Neal, executive producer for NBC Sports, confirmed that Bill Cowher has declined the network’s offer to be part of its Football Night in America coverage this weekend.

 

[Godsbrother]

From WPXI's "Coach Cowher Watch" :Wednesday, 1/3 at 9:30 a.m. -- Despite rumors this morning, David Neal, executive producer for NBC Sports, confirmed that Bill Cowher has declined the network’s offer to be part of its Football Night in America coverage this weekend.

He almost has to decline the offer. It would be very strange to appear on the show when he know they are going to ask him about his decision. He can't very well say he doesn't know yet if he is going to be in Pittsburgh the next day to announce his decision.

 

[MarshallRob]

This article from the Miami Herald would indicate the Dolphins are very interested in Cowher.

The Dolphins will now start gauging their interest in candidates in earnest. The Steelers, Cowher and his agent might be among the first they contact. If Pittsburgh grants the Dolphins permission to speak with its coach, a person close to Cowher said Wednesday he would be willing to listen.

Although Cowher has a year remaining on his contract and is said to be on a family retreat in North Carolina to mull his future in Pittsburgh, the man who guided the Steelers to two Super Bowl trips and the title last season wants to coach again.

Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and defensive coordinator Dom Capers, both former head coaches, also coached under Cowher in Pittsburgh. Capers suggested he would like to be considered for the Miami opening; Mularkey would not say. It's not known if they would stay if Cowher were hired.

There are obstacles to Cowher joining the Dolphins. He reportedly wants a contract extension in Pittsburgh that would pay in excess of $7 million annually; the Steelers offered $6 million. And the Steelers would demand draft-choice compensation in return for releasing him from his contract.

The Dolphins also would have to gauge Cowher's personal situation to see if he indeed is willing to take on a job long-term rather than for a two- to five-year spurt.

But the obstacles are not insurmountable if Cowher is receptive. Huizenga has deep pockets and said Wednesday that he badly wants his team to win.

''I don't care what it takes, what it costs, or what's involved,'' he said.

Miami's most successful coach, Don Shula, cost the Dolphins a first-round draft pick in 1970 after he was hired away from the Baltimore Colts.

 

[bez18]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2720242

Cowher expected to leave Steelers after 15 seasonsBy 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, ostensibly to spend more time with his family. In fact, it will be stunning if Cowher returns to the team to fulfill the final year of his current contract.

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 accordingly. 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.

For those reasons, and the stability and support of ownership, the Pittsburgh vacancy, if one occurs, will be regarded as 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.