Nearly 14 years after he coached his last NFL game, Bill Cowher‘s name continues to pop up in coaching rumors. Earlier this week, Cowher’s CBS Sports colleague, Boomer Esiason, indicated that Cowher could be interested in the Jets’ head coaching job that will be available once Adam Gase is fired, but Cowher denied that he has any interest in returning to the sidelines.
“I have too much respect for the coaching profession to talk about a job that isn’t open,” he said (via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). “From that perspective, any job that is open, I have no interest in coaching.”
That has generally been Cowher’s refrain whenever he has been asked about resuming his coaching career, though he did concede back in 2016 that he had not entirely foreclosed the possibility. “You know what? I’ve never shut a door,” Cowher said at the time. “I don’t think you need to shut a door that you don’t need to. I’m very happy at CBS. I love what I’m doing. I’m 58 years old. I feel young. I still feel involved in the game. But this element of the game gives me a life that I was never able to experience before. … I never say never, but I’m very, very satisfied with where I’m at.”
Now 63, it would certainly be a surprise to see Cowher so much as take an interview for an HC gig, though he would likely find no shortage of suitors if he changed his mind. The Jets did express interest in his services back in 2009, but he subsequently withdrew his name from consideration, and New York ultimately pivoted to Rex Ryan.
Cowher served as the Steelers’ head coach from 1992-2006, taking home two AFC championships and one Super Bowl championship during that time. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
Just about anytime an opening comes up Cower will be on their short list of wanted candidates. But I think he’s genuinely happy where he’s at doing what he does. His legacy is a good one no reason to put that on the line. Teams will keep asking and he’ll keep saying no thank you
he’s as interested on coaching as Luck is at playing QB. speaking of which, when is the next Luck rumor?
St. Patrick’s Day. Obviously.
Why would anyone have any interest in him? It’s been 14 years, maybe Bud Grant is available.
Considering the NFL runs out retread after retread every year I’m sure teams would be interested.
Dick Vermeil was out a lot longer and came back and won a SuperBowl
Not a lot longer, but Vermeil was out 15 years.
I wish he was interested in coming back to Pittsburgh. We’re on the verge of a rebuild when Ben retires and Tomlin isn’t the coach to lead it.
How can you say that when all he has done is win? It’s pretty damn good when you’ve coached for over a decade, been to two Super Bowls (winning one), and never had a season below .500. I say keep him. They continue to produce receivers no one has slotted on draft day and linebackers/front linemen that continue to keep the Steeler tradition intact.
Tomlin is a much better coach than Cowher ever was, let alone now that Cowher’s lost (his main asset) his fire.
Absurd opinion with no basis in reality.
Cowher – 149-90-1 (0.623 win %), 15 years, two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win.
Tomlin – 144-75-1 (0.657 win %), 14 years, two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win.
Why would you think that Cowher would be better than Tomlin when he’s been out of football for 14 years?
How do I go about getting into a fantasy league with Boomer? The guy is clueless.
The guy’s already in the HOF, makes a fortune for talking about football with zero pressure…
Why would he change anything??
Let old coaches enjoy retirement and let new blood shine through.
Football meatheads never change. Guy hasn’t coached in 20 years but some goon is still going to throw this guys name out there. Pathetic
The Raiders need a DC, he should ease his way back into it by getting our defense to actually defend