Is Bill Cowher’s Buzz Worth The Price?
December 29th, 2009
Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune already wrote about it. Now his collegue, Joe Henderson, writes about it.
The Glazers prefer checks and balances in their NFL team. They got away from that with Bruce Almighty and Chucky and the results were not so rosey.
So, as Henderson asks, is it worth it to again forget the checks and balances to hire Bill Cowher?
I know the Bucs are playing better and responding well to Morris, but the NFL is filled with mediocre teams who mask bad seasons with a nice run in December, only to start off 1-6 the following year. If the Glazers decide Cowher is their guy, go get him no matter what happens this Sunday against Atlanta.
But there’s an issue to me that is much more important than the estimated $8 million a year the Glazers would have to fork over for Cowher.
Cowher is expected to want total control of football operations wherever he lands — something he did not have in Pittsburgh. He’ll want to decide who is drafted, who stays, who goes — all that stuff. Maybe you trust his football mind enough to do that.
Or maybe, like me, you think that’s a caution light.
Joe believes that’s a valid argument. Cowher has never run a team before. Cowher has never run a draft before. Cowher has never been in charge of acquiring free agents before.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Do we really know that Cowher wants all that control? I can’t recall if I’ve ever read anything saying he would want total control and I don’t recall it being an issue when he was in Pittsburgh.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Wait…what? Didn’t Cowher run a team for 15 years in Pittsburgh? Tom Donahoe was the GM when Cowher started, but there was a power struggle between the two and Cowher eventually won. Donahoe left and Cowher got a new GM Kevin Colbert in 2000. Cowher and Colbert were butt buddies just like Gruden and Allen. I’m quite sure Bill Cowher has had a huge part in running the team, drafting, and free agents in his 15 years in Pittsburgh, especially the last 6 years with Colbert. I gotta call shenanigans on that last paragraph Joe.
Let’s be real. Wether you want him or not, you have to admit he is a great coach with 15 years of knowledge on how to run a great franchise. Some folks say Dick Lebeau was responsible for the defense, but that’s hogwash. Lebeau was only there for 6 of Cowhers 15 years. In those 15 years, the Steelers defense was ranked #1 four times, top ten 12 times. The three years they didn’t make the top ten…they were 11th, 12th, and 13th. In Cowher’s 15 seasons, the Steelers captured eight division titles, earned ten postseason playoff berths, played in 21 playoff games, advanced to six AFC Championship games and made two Super Bowl appearances. He is one of only six coaches in NFL history to claim at least seven division titles.
I think Rheem should get another year now that he has this team playing hard and is winning games, but let’s not kid ourselves. Cowher is one of the greatest coaches of all time and it would be nothing but good if he came here.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
he is not worth it hes a good coach not a great coach it took him ten years to win a super bowl
December 29th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Nefty your exactlly right. Why is he suddenly God’s gift to coaching? He’s an OK coach who won one Super Bowl. Not the kind of guy you sell your Souls for. We already got a Super Bowl that way and then that coach was run out of town.
Besides how many coaches have won Super Bowls with more than one team? Oh yeah, NONE.
If guys like Bill Parcells, Jimmy Johnson and Mike Holmgren couldn’t get it done then why should we think Bill Cowher will?
December 29th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Jdub:
Cowher is a good coach, not a great coach. His postseason record is not that great. Remember, he comes from the Marty Chokenheimer tree. There are quite a few Steelers fans who breathed a sigh of relief when he left.
The Rooneys have never ceded control of the Steelers to one man. They didn’t under Chuck Noll, nor Cowher nor Mike Tomlin.
What Cowher was very good at if not outstanding, was picking coordinators and assistants. Ken Whisenhunt, Dick LeBeau, Dom Capers, Mike Mularkey, Chan Gailey and Russ Grimm were all Cowher hires.
To be fair, Cowher never coached a team where the owners were willing to spend cash on free agents. There was always turnover in Pittsburgh.
Was the fact the Steelers always found players to fill holes created by free agents leaving credit to Cowher or the front office (or both)? The fact that Tomlin won after Joey Porter left seems to suggest the Steelers front office should be getting the credit.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I can NOT believe what I’ve read above:
Nefty wrote “he is not worth it hes a good coach not a great coach it took him ten years to win a super bowl”
D-money wrote “Nefty your exactlly right. He’s an OK coach who won one Super Bowl.”
What???
At least Jdub got it right, “In Cowher’s 15 seasons, the Steelers captured eight division titles, earned ten postseason playoff berths, played in 21 playoff games, advanced to six AFC Championship games and made two Super Bowl appearances. He is one of only six coaches in NFL history to claim at least seven division titles.”
So by Nefty’s standards Cowher is a “good coach”? How many coaches have won even one (1) Super Bowl?
Gruden won a Super Bowl in his first year in Tampa so does that make Jon a “GREAT” coach Nefty? Give me a break.
You can’t compare Cowher to Morris – that’s like comparing a BMW to a Yugo the only similarities; both are cars.
As for Cowher being available – if he is get him. Don’t give Morris another week/month. You take the best man available for the job.
UNLESS you’re like Nefty and D-money and you want to saddled with mediocre. If you stick with Morris you’ll watch the Bucs deteriorate even further and their season goal won’t be to win a Super Bowl, or even win their division. Under Morris a good year for the Bucs will be if they break .500.
What are you guys Detroit Lions fans? I can’t believe you’d pass on the opportunity to bring in Cowher – assuming that he would even WANT to come to this franchise
December 29th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Mr Lucky writes…”UNLESS you’re like Nefty and D-money and you want to saddled with mediocre.”
I think your missing my point. Did I say to keep Morris? No I just said that I dont think Cowher is the be all end all of coaches. He took 15 years with one of the NFL’s elite teams and most commited owners to win one Super Bowl. Any other owners or town would have run him out of town long ago.
If he hadn’t finally gotten an elite quarterback then we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.
If you want to go through 15 years of dissapointing playoff losses then I guess Cowher is your guy. Im just saying he’s not the only option.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Mr. Lucky:
You do know Chucky has a better postseason record than Bill Cowher, right?
And you’re OK giving Cowher complete control of the team?
Joe has no issue with Cowher coaching the Bucs. Having complete control of the team — something Cowher has never had — Joe has to think about that.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
your kidding.. tampa media already trying to tear into the guy
December 29th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Henderson mentions in his article that Cowher would cost approx. $8 million/yr. How about the Glazers spending that kind of money on a couple of free agents before wasting it on a coach. And if the Glazers can afford to pay that kind of money to a coach, then why in the hell have they been so far below the cap the past 5 years. If the talent level is mediocre, then a different coach wouldn’t make much more of a difference. Maybe another win or two, but thats about it. I would much rather see this team focus on improving talent first, and then determine if there is a coaching issue that needs fixed.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
It sure seems like you all are saying the Steelers have had a great defense for two decades straight and are a perfect role model of how to run a franchise DESPITE Bill Cowher. Like he had nothing to do with it.
He surrounds himself with great coaches year after year, builds and maintains his team thru the draft, and produces one losing season in 15 years….but it wasn’t him? C’mon man.
On top of all that, why do you all insist that he wants total dominating control? and do you think we are better off with the Glazers making decisions? Our current HC doesn’t even get to pick his own coordinators, and that has worked out so well. Can’t believe all the negativity towards Cowher already. Maybe we don’t deserve a coach of his status.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I’m confused? Are we thinking that just because “Radio” knocked off a couple of teams that he should have and surprised a team on the slide that everything is all good. WTF? This guy is a D coordinator in training filling a HC spot. To get Cowher is a significant upgrade. Any significant upgrade will command a level of control from the Glazers otherwise they aren’t coming. UHHHH… Let’s see , Cowher comes out of retirement from coaching with a Bang and then fizzles because the Glazers freaks won’t spend a dime over 1/2 the salary cap. Yes.. Ladies and germs Cowher wants to minimize his career to Has-Been status. Give him control. He most certainly has a plan to bring in his GM of choice and the coaches and personnel people of his choice. Why would he do anything else. I see it as he would be leaving his career as a whole on the field. All or nothing. So while we give it up for a coach with just one SB ring and he may never get another. I see him as doing what he did for damn near his complete tenure at Pittsburg… Make them competitive every season including six trips to the AFC championship game. The Bucs have 1 SB ring in 30+ years. I was happy with Dungy making us competitive. I was real happy when Gruden took us to the SB. No Caveats on that one. Gruden would have beaten Dungy in the SB if he stayed at Oakland and IF Dungy could have turned that corner for the SB. I just do not like seeing us regress to the 80’s style of football we all loathed. Remember the Bo Jackson debacle. I se us heading down those roads. Not for me. Give Cowher or Shanahan or Schottenheimer the keys and let them make us winners again. GO BUCS!!
December 29th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I cannot see Cowher’s pupils in that picture, scary.
December 29th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Al wrote “I cannot see Cowher’s pupils in that picture, scary.”
He’s a vampire – didn’t you see Twilight Al? He just sawed off the fangs a little. That’s Cowher – goes for the jugular 😉
December 29th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
The best part of this whole article has been overlooked the part about bad teams winning in December! It’s very easy fro teams like chicago cleveland and the Bucs to pick up victories at the end of the year especially against opponents who are allredy in the playoffs! So many people are ready to give Raheem a pass on this bullshit because he got a few lucky wins! The guy is a turd that needs to be flushed. Does everybody want another losing season next year with another bogus hot streak at the end of the season!
December 29th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Bucfanlostiniowa hit the nail on the head.
As to Joe’s assertation that Chucky has a better post-season recod than Cowher I dont really care; both have a better record than Morris.
This isn’t about Cowher vs. Chucky. The argument is Cowher vs. Raheem.
What’s the purpose of playing the season? To make the playoffs. You can’t GET to the Super Bowl if you don’t make the playoffs.
The difference between Cowher and Gruden is CONSISTENCY. Sure Cowher had trouble winning in the playoffs but at least he got his team that far. Gruden was either in the mix or dead last – consistently INCONSISTENT.
I think that those posters who are crying for the Glazers to give Raheem another year are just masochistic people who are so used to the YUCKS days (or maybe the winning ways of the Rays) that they are scared to grasp the brass ring.
Is Cowher the best NFL coach out there? NOPE but I doubt Bill Belicheck could be inticed to come to Tampa.
Are there other options? Sure but I don’t see too many PROVEN HEAD COACHES beating down the door at One Buc Place – do you?
December 29th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Jon Gruden=crack addiction you get that awesome high the first time but then you can never get it back no matter how hard you try!
December 29th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
To all you Morris sycophants:
I say we give Raheem as much of a chance as Raheem gave Luke McCown/Byron Leftwich/Josh Johnson/ and coach Jagodzinski
Isn’t it amazing how quick we are to realize that certain players won’t pan out but some of us stick our heads in the sand with regard to the head coach just because the team wins two MEANINGLESS games!
December 29th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Mr. Lucky, my head is not stuck in the sand. Please don’t try and tell me that everything would have been fine this year with Luke McCown at the helm, even though he stunk in the preseason going against second string defenses. No one posting here is saying Morris is a great coach, but for you and others to put the blame entirely on him when he has been given by far the cheapest payroll in the league which equates to minimal talent compared to other teams is ludicrous. Most people, even before the season started, were predicting at the most 5-6 wins. Those predictions were based on the talent level of the Bucs, not Morris’ coaching ability. But now that the season is over and they have sucked just like everyone predicted, it is now some how Morris’ fault and not the players?
December 29th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Call me a flip flopper, but I like Raheem more than Bill Cowher. He is doing a darn good job with the defense and he and they will only get better after the draft. The problem I see is if Olson can get his plays figured out enough to be successful as far as when to run and when to pass. This is a big problem for him, but I think with Raheem’s influence Olson is improving. I think the Bucs will kick the $#!T out of ATL on Sunday. It hurts losing Graham in the back field but I think they will still manage. I like Russ Grimm as a head coach possibly. I really like Sean McDermott. Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher, I just don’t see as having the same fire and desire that Raheem does. He definitely gets more fired up than most coaches and although he may not be the brightest coach he has this team finally moving in the right direction. So maybe I wanted to pull the plug too soon on Rah, and he does need more time. With a good draft coming up, this team could go from worst to first. I hate to say it, but I think I was wrong….again. Go figure
December 29th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
lightningbuc it’s not just Raheem it is him and olsen and bates and the idiots who put them in charge does that make you feel better?
December 30th, 2009 at 12:35 am
You cant judge the season on 1 game or even 2 games. Sure the Bucs may be on a little hot streak. You might think the team is finally coming together…..until they start next season 1-6. And then you same people will bash the Glazers for not bringing in Cowher.
Morris made countless mistakes this season. We had an extended QB battle in pre-season and neither would be starting week 4. We have burned through 3 kickers and 2 punters. Morris stuck his neck out to support Michael Clayton and now looks like a fool. Both the OC and DC have been fired, Basaccia wants out, and 2 other assistants are leaving. Doug Williams is likely leaving. So I mean we have an entire staff turnover anyway. What OC or DC in their right mind is going to want to come here with this circus? What Free Agent is going to want to sign here with so much instability?
I like Morris. I think he has a lot of potential. But he made too many mistakes. He needs to go.
December 30th, 2009 at 1:05 am
There is no argument that this year has been mishandled and full of mistakes starting last offeseason when the Glazers waitied waaaay to long to fire Gruden/Allen. They bumped Rheem to HC when he should have stayed DC, and then they rushed to sign some coordinators that didn’t fit at all and I don’t even think Rheem got a say in the matter. I won’t go thru the whole list of mistakes made since then, you all have watched….
With that said, Rheem and Olsen have both shown real improvement these last 4-5 weeks. We are 3-5 since Freeman took over and our defense is playing very well. If we win this last game, I think there isn’t even a question…you have to give Rheem a chance to continue this win streak next year. He has somehow got a 1-12 team to play lights out the last two weeks and that says alot.
Bottom line is we should want Rheem to succeed. I friggin love Cowher and have been praying for him to come here since mid season, but with this regime showing promise, I’d rather give them a chance to succeed. Rheem and Olsen are OUR guys. They have been here and are part of OUR history, part of OUR story. I’d much rather see them stay and succeed with the evolution of the Tampa Two, than see a complete outsider come in here and change everything from top to bottom. I’ve had enough of other teams old cast offs and 2nd hand heroes from Gruden’s reign here. Let’s see if we can do this OUR way first.
December 30th, 2009 at 1:41 am
If we learn from our mistakes, then I am the smartest man on the planet! That being said, all professional players and coaches make mistakes. Did Bill Cowher make mistakes? YES! Did Bill Parcells make mistakes? YES!
That is what shaped them into the men they are, and influenced their successes!
The Glazers made a commitment to re-building this team with young talent, both in the coaching department as well as the players role.
They grow together, make mistakes together, and learn together…
That to me is growing as a team and building the future. Hiring Cowher would be no better than keeping Gruden, who would ditch Freeman and go for a veteran QB like, I dont know…Byron Leftwich? Morris tried, it did not work, it was time to move on. Time to put the future into the hands of Josh Freeman. Let him make mistakes and learn from them.
There is a reason why old players and coaches move onto broadcasting careers!
It is easier to comment on plays than participate in them!
December 30th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I f Cowher comes to Tampa, I’ll be as happy as the next guy, but I would love to see Raheem keep his salary and become the DC under Cowher. It may be hard for Raheem at first, but I think they get the th best of both worlds.