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Cowher tells his assistant coaches he is retiring (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter lions327
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AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
I read something that made it sound like it could be up in the air, since he did not finish his Pgh contract.
Mike Florio over at PFT is saying that the team is looking into to what extent the Steelers rights would continue beyond 2007 if Cowher retires rather than fulfilling his contract.
Ramblin Wreck
Footballguy
Cowher cannot coach anywhere else in the NFL until his contract expires next year unless the Steelers give him permission to do so. That would probably only happen if draft picks were given to Pittsburgh.After the contract expires next year, Cowher can go wherever he wants in the NFL. I expect Bill will sit out a year and do television and then come back next offseason looking for a job.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Theoretically, since he's retiring while still under contract, I would think the Steelers would retain some rights (a la Ricky Williams.) Everything I've read seems to imply that isn't the case, though, so I'll be watching this with great interest.....
Could happen. I think he would be a fit. The only problematic part would be that he's still under contract through the end of 2007 so we'd be on the other end of a picks for coaches swap in that case. . .. . . unless we could trade Cowher head up for Parcells.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
That's what I was wondering. S--t.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Listening to the press conference---what an unbelievable class act this guy is. 
DrunkinDwarf
Footballguy
Completely agree. However, I do think it was interesting that he sort of avoided the question as to whether or not his decision came down to $. When asked about the speculation that $ was part his decision, he said something along the lines of "I am not here to talk about the process of deciding, I'm just looking forward to spending time with my family, blah, blah, blah". (I am paraprashing) Bill Cowher ... you will be missed!Listening to the press conference---what an unbelievable class act this guy is.
C
CrossEyed
Guest
Completely agree. Was able to watch the press conference and was impressed with how Cowher handled himself. Seemed completely at peace with his decision. I wish him the best.Listening to the press conference---what an unbelievable class act this guy is.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Yes, I caught this as well. Money was certainly a factor. But after listening to his press conference I don't think there is much of a chance of him coaching in the NFL in 2007 -- he made it very clear that he just wants some time off. You can't blame a guy for that.Completely agree. However, I do think it was interesting that he sort of avoided the question as to whether or not his decision came down to $. When asked about the speculation that $ was part his decision, he said something along the lines of "I am not here to talk about the process of deciding, I'm just looking forward to spending time with my family, blah, blah, blah". (I am paraprashing) Bill Cowher ... you will be missed!Listening to the press conference---what an unbelievable class act this guy is.
C
CrossEyed
Guest
Actually, later he said, "Money has never been a factor."Yes, I caught this as well. Money was certainly a factor. But after listening to his press conference I don't think there is much of a chance of him coaching in the NFL in 2007 -- he made it very clear that he just wants some time off. You can't blame a guy for that.Completely agree. However, I do think it was interesting that he sort of avoided the question as to whether or not his decision came down to $. When asked about the speculation that $ was part his decision, he said something along the lines of "I am not here to talk about the process of deciding, I'm just looking forward to spending time with my family, blah, blah, blah". (I am paraprashing) Bill Cowher ... you will be missed!Listening to the press conference---what an unbelievable class act this guy is.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
Thanks for the time served and for bringing home the trophy!
ADIOS TO CAHRPAHR
ADIOS TO CAHRPAHR 
Bobcat10
Footballguy
Agree with most that he's not going to coach in 2007. If he wanted to, he never would have done what he did today.
Lerner is going to go after Cowher next January after Romeo is canned in November. He'll offer boatloads of cash, proximity to his hometown, the chance to finish what his mentor came so close to, and he would instantly give Cleveland something they do not have today...respect.
Lerner is going to go after Cowher next January after Romeo is canned in November. He'll offer boatloads of cash, proximity to his hometown, the chance to finish what his mentor came so close to, and he would instantly give Cleveland something they do not have today...respect.
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I wonder if he'd coach the Browns knowing they're hated archrivals. They'd have to offer a lot of $$$
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Sell me on Rivera over Grimm/Whisenhunt
Godsbrother
Footballguy
The Steelers are going to bring in at least 2 or 3 other coaches for interviews. They may ultimately select Whiz or Grimm but I don't think it is a slam dunk.
knowledge dropper
Footballguy
Don't they have to at least interview a minority candidate or get drilled by the league?Also, Fox is going to be looking over his shoulder next year in Carolina. If that team does not make the playoffs in 2007, Cowher coaching Carolina in 2008 makes the most sense.
C
CrossEyed
Guest
I can't see this happening. The Rooneys will want a long-term solution, not a stop-gap. Just doesn't seem consistent with how they operate.How about this for a "from out of left field" speculation on my part...Bill Parcells.Think about it for a minute. Word is he's basically had it with Jerry Jones and has given him what amounts to a "dump T.O. or I walk" ultimatum. That's not likely to sit too well with JJ. IF Parcells leaves Dallas, the Steelers could be a destination. Considerarcells is a non-nonsense coach who believes in accountability. His philosophy is that you win games by running the football, stopping the run, and generating pressure. He favors a 3-4 defense. He's reaching the end of his career and would likely be looking for a destination where he could step in and win right away. He would want some control over personnel decisions. He'd be looking for a team with respected, hands-off owners that would allow him to make the football decisions. He values tradition.Sound like a possible fit? Plus, he'd likely only coach a couple more years, meaning the Steelers could still look for that young buck to take over long-term.... or even (dare I say it?) bring Cowher back after he takes a couple of years off? I know, that last part sounds like a desperate dude who got dumped by a hot chick and sits around praying she'll take him back, but I'm just musing - if Cowher wants to sit out a couple of years until his daughter graduates and goes to college, and Parcells only wants to coach 2 years or so, the planets could potentially align that way. I'd have to believe if the Steelers and say, Raiders jobs were open in 2009 and money wasn't a big factor, Cowher would rather return to Pittsburgh where he's revered and where he has tremendous respect for his employers. But all that aside, how about Parcells in Pittsburgh?
DrunkinDwarf
Footballguy
Hence the reference to Mike Tomlin above.
DrunkinDwarf
Footballguy
Sell me on Rivera over Grimm/Whisenhunt
I am being serious. I will plead ignorance. What would make Rivera a better hire than the two already in the organization? 
H.K.
Footballguy
When it comes to the NFL, I am agnostic. I just care about my FF players.
However, I really appreciate winners and Cowher was one.
He was a perfect fit for Pittsburgh, very tough to find a guy these days whose personality fits so well with a team and a city....and for so long.
It would be really strange to see him coach somewhere else.
No matter what he does,
cheers to him.
However, I really appreciate winners and Cowher was one.
He was a perfect fit for Pittsburgh, very tough to find a guy these days whose personality fits so well with a team and a city....and for so long.
It would be really strange to see him coach somewhere else.
No matter what he does,
cheers to him.OK, here goes, this is why he could be a better hire than Whiz/Grimm. Sometimes it can be tough for an assistant, regardless of the qualifications, to earn the respect of the players as the new head coach. They may think he's 'changed' since he's now "The Boss", when he hasn't changed at all, it's his role as HC that's changed. I think it's even harder when the head coach that's leaving is held in very high regard. That may not make Rivera any better of a HC, but it could make him a better HC in this situation. Having said that, as a Steeler fan, I think Whisenhut would still be a very good choice for HC. I like Grimm, too, but less so than Whiz. I think the fact that the Steelers have a proven, stable ownership who will do whatever it takes to support the HC is enough to convince the players they need to cooperate with the HC, regardless of who it is.Sell me on Rivera over Grimm/Whisenhunt
Last edited by a moderator:
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
One thing I have learned..when people say "It is not about the money" It means "It is ALL about the money"Listening to the press conference---what an unbelievable class act this guy is.
Marty on Cowher from Chargers.com
Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer on resignation of Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher
“Bill Cowher has done a terrific job as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers over the course of the last 15 years. When you look back at that organization, the fact that they’ve had only two guys since 1969, it’s a remarkable achievement. He certainly stands at the same level as Coach (Chuck) Noll. Bill is, if nothing else, honest in all that he does. I think he probably just felt that it was the right time for him to make a change. I personally don’t think that we’ve seen the end of Bill Cowher as an NFL head coach because there will be opportunities for him and at some point in time I fully expect to see him back. I certainly hope so.”
(on Cowher’s decision to resign)
”When you’re a youngster, you hear references to the fact that nobody knows what it’s like to do what you do unless they walk in your shoes. My father told me that years and years ago. Nobody knows what Bill or any other individual who has such a lengthy tenure in a position what they deal with on a day-to-day basis. I can appreciate the fact that he wants to refocus his energies toward his family and some recreational time. I think we all recognize the demands of this job. Bill, I guess, has decided that it’s time to do something else.”
(on the similar decision Schottenheimer made following his tenure in Kansas City)
“It was interesting because I had completed 14 and a half years as a head coach in the National Football League when I made the decision to do that. Bill made it 15, but the thing that would make it more difficult for him is being in the same place. One of the things that happens is that you keep trying to find ways to say the same thing, different ways to get your message across to everybody whether it’s the players, the staff, the organization or the community. After being in a place 10, 12, 14 years, it’s hard to find new ways to get that message across. That’s one thing that impresses me most about what Bill has done. He’s continually gotten his message across.”
(on Cowher … the person)
“He’s a terrific person. I will say tongue in cheek, that’s typical of people from Pittsburgh. Bill has always understood what he wanted to do. His persistence was never more evident than when we made the move from Cleveland to Kansas City and I had a couple of other candidates for the defensive coordinator’s position. He was just relentless in trying to convince me that he was prepared to do that job. He was persuasive. I eventually gave him the position and he did a great, great job for us. The rest is history. One of the things I find interesting as I look back on it is that the Cleveland Browns interviewed Bill, I believe, the year before he got the job in Pittsburgh. You wonder how the Browns fortunes might have changed had he been hired in Cleveland rather than Pittsburgh.”
(on conversations he’s had with Cowher in recent weeks)
“I wouldn’t say it was advice. Our relationship is more sharing thoughts and ideas. I’ve spoken to him several times in the last week. Our relationship goes all the way back to the time he was a player. I think maybe the one common thread that we shared was that neither one of us was a very good player (laughing). We were the same type: linebacker, special teams. We didn’t play a whole lot. There was kind of a common path Bill and I have followed both as a player and a coach. Now I would expect that we’ll have an occasion to get together and play golf in North Carolina this offseason, which is something I look forward to.”
Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer on resignation of Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher
“Bill Cowher has done a terrific job as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers over the course of the last 15 years. When you look back at that organization, the fact that they’ve had only two guys since 1969, it’s a remarkable achievement. He certainly stands at the same level as Coach (Chuck) Noll. Bill is, if nothing else, honest in all that he does. I think he probably just felt that it was the right time for him to make a change. I personally don’t think that we’ve seen the end of Bill Cowher as an NFL head coach because there will be opportunities for him and at some point in time I fully expect to see him back. I certainly hope so.”
(on Cowher’s decision to resign)
”When you’re a youngster, you hear references to the fact that nobody knows what it’s like to do what you do unless they walk in your shoes. My father told me that years and years ago. Nobody knows what Bill or any other individual who has such a lengthy tenure in a position what they deal with on a day-to-day basis. I can appreciate the fact that he wants to refocus his energies toward his family and some recreational time. I think we all recognize the demands of this job. Bill, I guess, has decided that it’s time to do something else.”
(on the similar decision Schottenheimer made following his tenure in Kansas City)
“It was interesting because I had completed 14 and a half years as a head coach in the National Football League when I made the decision to do that. Bill made it 15, but the thing that would make it more difficult for him is being in the same place. One of the things that happens is that you keep trying to find ways to say the same thing, different ways to get your message across to everybody whether it’s the players, the staff, the organization or the community. After being in a place 10, 12, 14 years, it’s hard to find new ways to get that message across. That’s one thing that impresses me most about what Bill has done. He’s continually gotten his message across.”
(on Cowher … the person)
“He’s a terrific person. I will say tongue in cheek, that’s typical of people from Pittsburgh. Bill has always understood what he wanted to do. His persistence was never more evident than when we made the move from Cleveland to Kansas City and I had a couple of other candidates for the defensive coordinator’s position. He was just relentless in trying to convince me that he was prepared to do that job. He was persuasive. I eventually gave him the position and he did a great, great job for us. The rest is history. One of the things I find interesting as I look back on it is that the Cleveland Browns interviewed Bill, I believe, the year before he got the job in Pittsburgh. You wonder how the Browns fortunes might have changed had he been hired in Cleveland rather than Pittsburgh.”
(on conversations he’s had with Cowher in recent weeks)
“I wouldn’t say it was advice. Our relationship is more sharing thoughts and ideas. I’ve spoken to him several times in the last week. Our relationship goes all the way back to the time he was a player. I think maybe the one common thread that we shared was that neither one of us was a very good player (laughing). We were the same type: linebacker, special teams. We didn’t play a whole lot. There was kind of a common path Bill and I have followed both as a player and a coach. Now I would expect that we’ll have an occasion to get together and play golf in North Carolina this offseason, which is something I look forward to.”
I would put money on Wisenhunt getting the job instead of Grimm. Grimm may stay on too coach because his family is from scotdale, Pa which is about 45 minutes from Pittsburgh.
I wouldn't be suprised though to see the Rooney's go outside the organization for a coach as they always seem to know what is in the best interest of the team.
Joey Porter is probaly already packing his bags now that Cowher is gone! I don't see him as a steeler next year as Big Bill was his biggest supporter through all of the crap.
Just my two cents!
I wouldn't be suprised though to see the Rooney's go outside the organization for a coach as they always seem to know what is in the best interest of the team.
Joey Porter is probaly already packing his bags now that Cowher is gone! I don't see him as a steeler next year as Big Bill was his biggest supporter through all of the crap.
Just my two cents!
C
CrossEyed
Guest
No impact. The Steelers will bring in a coach that shares the organization's philosophy of winning by running the ball and playing strong defense.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I don't disagree with the philosophy part but under Cowher those linemen were terrific. IMO It would take an especially good OL coach to keep them at that high level. I would think a small drop is reasonable.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
what crap?
