When the Ravens start interviewing coaches this weekend, Bill Cowher won't be among them. The former Steeler head man and TV talking head hasn't publicly wavered from his statements about not coaching in 2008 but there's still a lot of talk about him in Baltimore. Earlier this week, Steve Bisciotti said he believed "we have the nucleus of a team that can get back to the Super Bowl." As good as the resumes of Jason Garrett and Jim Caldwell are, who better to lead such a team than a guy that's been there twice? That nucleus is a good one, especially on defense and the offensive line, but it's also a dicey one for the next coach. A lot of players turned on Billick before last season was over and it's hard to imagine guys like Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden welcoming a virgin head coach with open arms and minds. Cowher, on the other hand, would demand their respect. Rex Ryan probably would too but someone like Cowher is more likely to make the changes needed on both sides of the ball since he has no previous relationships to honor.
I can't see money, rumored to be part of Cowher's decision to leave Pittsburgh, being a problem for Bisciotti.
After all, he gave Brian Billick $5 million a year. Yes, he's got to pay off the rest of his contract, (contrary to prior reports, he has to pay the whole magillah) but if it's a Super Bowl he wants and Cowher is willing to try to bring it to him, he wouldn't let money get in the way.
Cowher's obviously the big X-factor in all of this but there's no reason for the Ravens to stop pursuing him. They haven't spoken to anyone yet and have compiled quite the list of names to pursue while making their decision. If someone blows them away or Cowher makes it clear that he's not budging, then move on and make the best choice, until that point, though, they should keep after the best coach on the market.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-04-2008 @ 2:29PM
T.J. said...
When will people get it through their heads? The man doesn't want to coach this year, next year, the year after, and probably the year after that. He has daughters in school he wants to see graduate. This is no money issue for Cowher. It's a family thing. He knows the money is on the table when he chooses to come back (if he wants to come back...cause he may not even want to). Why would he choose the Ravens over the other dozen universities and pro teams that want him anyways? That's a direct slap in the face to the Steelers and the Rooney family. I don't think we'll ever see a day when Cowher joins the Ravens.
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1-04-2008 @ 5:27PM
myra said...
cowher is a terrible choice for the ravens. he would not fit in baltimore. if he came out of retirement for moneh it would say to people that he was not honest in leaving pittsburgh. we don't want him.
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1-05-2008 @ 3:07PM
DK said...
While I don't think Cowher will be going to Baltimore, it's not as far-fetched as some people think. The Ravens are built the way Cowher likes to build his teams (great defense, strong running game), can win soon, and he is a former teammate of Ozzie Newsome's. He played and worked for the organization when it was in Cleveland. And Baltimore is only a few hour drive to Raleigh.
I do think it would hurt his standing among the Rooneys and Steeler fans. That, along with his previous statement about wanting to sit out '08, is the reason that I don't think he will be the Ravens' coach anytime soon.
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1-06-2008 @ 6:27PM
Jb said...
I think t.J and Dk are wrong and Bill cower will be the Ravens next coach because he is eager to get back into the game. And who cares about the Rooney family or what they think its about Bill not them.
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1-08-2008 @ 2:15PM
Lewis said...
I have been a football fan since I knew what a fotball loked like. I have learned a lot. For those who see to always put the blame on coaching,I would like to tell you that "coaching" is just a small part. Understand one thing,and you will see the real truth."Players play football.Simple as that. It's the "quality" of the player,his commitment to "winning"and nothing can beat quality. Some just draw a pay check year after year. They never improve. It "Starts"with the top management,how well they are able to "see"potential draft material,THEN COACH that player.Cower was not a great coach. He was average.And that is not to take away what he accomplished.He had a good defense,and they worked hard.Let an average Coach have a bunch of "team players"who are willing to work hard,and you got a Super Bowl contender from day one. I should charge to keep you youngsters informed about what winning is all about.:-)
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