Thinking About Coaches

Hiring the Big Name Coach to save the franchise doesn't always work out.  In fact, a lot of times it's an absolute failure, because the conditions that fostered success in the first go 'round just aren't there in the second (see Gibbs, Joe). 

In fact, it was just a few years ago that some people thought the Eagles might be in trouble, now that Reid was going to have to match wits with two coaching legends and a hot coach of the minute six times a year. 

Didn't exactly work out that way.

With all of that said, there are still some guys you'd rather not see in your division, conference or AFC schedule rotation any more than you'd have to.  One of those coaches is Bill Cowher, who according to PFT is already preparing for his comeback:

A league source tells us that there is already talk in league circles that former Steelers coach Bill Cowher is planning his potential return to the NFL. Per the source, Cowher already has spoken with multiple teams about filling a potential vacancy in 2008.

The source also says that one of Cowher's demands will be full control over the football operations.

The teams, the source says, are believed to be the Browns, Redskins, and Panthers. Another league source confirms that Cowher has had at least one private discussion with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder about the possibility of replacing Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs, if Gibbs calls it quits after the 2007 season.

First of all, I think it would be GREAT if he went to the Redskins.  Braver men than he have already crumbled before the greedy meddler named Dan Snyder.  Hiring Cowher would also be a slap in the face to current Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is rumored to have a right of first refusal on the job negotiated into his contract.  Nothing like a little controversy to get things off on the right foot.

I'm sure Jerry Jones is sniffing around too, but the good news there is that he'd have trouble hiring Cowher unless first-year coach Wade Phillips completely stunk up the joint this year.  That alone might be worth it.

Which leads to the final team.  Which actually does worry me a bit.  The Giants are a talented bunch with a serious attitude problem and a coach no player respects.  Cowher could probably fix those latter two issues simply by walking into the locker room. 

I don't think he'd then be a lock to win the Super Bowl or anything -- although I'm sure that's how the New York media would cover his coronation -- but it's hard enough beating divisional opponents twice in one year, even when their coaches are martinets.  And could a long-time Steelers coach really go back and coach the Cleveland Browns?