Cowher Leaves Blitzburgh

In a rare occurance, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a new head coach. For the first time since the 1992 season, technically 1969, the Steelers are without a head coach for the following season. Cowher, 49, had been the coach of the Steelers since the departure of the legendary Chuck Knoll after the 1991 NFL Season. Knoll himself won 209 games and four Super Bowls in his NFL coaching career. In his fifteen year tenure with the Steelers organization, Cowher added up 149 victories, ninety losses, and one tie. His career, playoff wise, fairs like this - twenty two wins, nine losses, and no ties. Record includes two Super Bowl appearances, one win, and eight AFC title game appearances.

Talk of recently has swirled around Assistant Head Coach Russ Grimm and Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhut. Grimm, a graduate of Pitt University and former Redskins offensive line named the 'Hogs'. The Hogs are one of the most memorable offensive lines in NFL history. Whisenhut could be a good sell as Steelers head coach because of where he brings an updated offensive mind. He is probably one of the best in the league at calling running plays, around 30 to 40 per game. What makes Whisenhut so attractive is his relationship with Ben Rothelisberger. Rothelisberger is the most talented Steelers quarterback since the great Terry Bradshaw.

Like Cowher, Grimm and Whisenhut bring the experience of playing in the National Football League to the forefront. Russ Grimm is 47-years-old and Ken Whisenhut is 44-years-old. Both men are young enough to relate to the struggles that players and to understand the feel of the locker room atmosphere. Bill Cowher also had that feel and experience.

ESPN's John Clayton reports.

The Steelers are entering a strange, new era, but the knowledge gained during the tenures of Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher put them in a pretty strong position.

Noll turned the Steelers' fortunes in 1969. Before then, they were perennial losers. Art Rooney was a benevolent owner, but the team endured losing season after losing season. They played tough defense but suffered on the scoreboard. With Art's son Dan getting more involved in the late 1960s, he took a chance on one of Don Shula's best and brightest assistants: Chuck Noll. Noll won 209 games, including four Super Bowls, and made the Steelers a franchise to admire.
Steelers ownership will have to worry about competition. Whisenhunt figures to be one of the main candidates for the Falcons' coaching job. He's an Atlanta native and his plans for Michael Vick could net him an offer. Grimm is on the lists of a few other teams looking for a head coach.

www.espn.com

The Rooney family and the Steelers as an organization have never had any problems finding and keeping head coaches. It is highly likely that the Steelers will hire a current NFL assistant to fill the spot vacated by Cowher. It did work for Chuck Knoll and it will work for Bill Cowher.

Three decades of success and only two head coaches. One of the most successful franchises in the history of the National Football League.






[edit on 1/6/2007 by gimmefootball400]

[edit on 1/6/2007 by gimmefootball400]

[edit on 1/6/2007 by gimmefootball400]

The "Jaw" will no longer grace the sidelines of the Steelers... The chance for a closeup of dangling spittle after a controversial call is now gone. I thank Bill Cowher for his stewardship of the Black & Gold and wish him well, though I have no illusions... He'll be back. My prediction will be Cleveland in a couple of years, quite possibly with Tony Dungy as his defensive coordinator.

'Tis the end of an era in Steel city. I suspect we will see Cowher returning to the league after taking the next year off. He will be the highest paid coach in the league, and the second chapter of his career will shine as bright as the first. How amazing is it that Pittsburgh has only had two coaches in over four decades. In this day and age of professional sports, it is absolutely unheard of. A team can win back to back Superbowls showing absolute domination, take two bad seasons to follow and his job is on the line. Losing is not an option, it is win today or there is no tomorrow.

The name Bill Cowher has become synonymous with the term "Respect" in my mind.

The thought of the NFL losing Bill Cowher & Brett Favre in one season is depressing.

Sniff sniff.

I am going to miss "The Chin" walking up an down the sidelines while he's mumbling insults to the referees under his breath.

One of my favorite web pages of al time has lost some of it's meaning...

The Bill Cowher appearance improvement page