View topic - Cowher turns down Browns

[thesteelhammer Profile]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/12/29/browns-fire-crennel.ap/index.html

Bill Cowher isn't coming to Cleveland.

The jut-jawed former Steelers coach and No. 1 target on Lerner's coaching wish list told the Browns he is not interested in joining them.

During a meeting on Saturday night in New York, Cowher, who has worked as a studio analyst for CBS since stepping down following the 2006 season, informed Lerner he has no intention of returning to coaching in 2009 and asked to be taken off the list of possible candidates.

"The explanation that he gave," Lerner said, "was that he was very focused on his kids and his life in North Carolina, and the way he's living in a noncoaching or, if you will, a civilian existence, and that he wasn't finished with that."

Lerner said he and Cowher had a long conversation about the Browns and Cowher's days as a player and assistant coach in Cleveland.

Cowher, who is certain to be coveted by several other teams, could change his mind. But Lerner said he left their meeting feeling as if it would be their last.

"He wasn't coy. He spoke very clearly," Lerner said. "He was very prepared to describe his position. It wasn't a dance."

Lerner said he never got a chance to make a financial pitch to Cowher.

"It wasn't that kind of meeting," he said. "This was an informal visit to get out on the table that he was not prepared to be considered a candidate. Had I heard otherwise, I would have skipped that meeting and said let's get to it (business)."

So with Cowher apparently out of the picture, Lerner has turned his attention to finding a replacement for Savage, who improved Cleveland's talent but had management deficiencies and embarrassed the club this season when he sent a profane e-mail to a fan following a win over Buffalo.

[jstallworth82 Profile]

Well at least he didn't play games he flat out stated he wasn't ready to come back. And he didn't even have to get to the money part.

I am happy that he turned it down.

[shawnlucas Profile]

I think that a lot of his heart is still in Pittsburgh and he didn't want to coach twice against the Steelers.

Rumor is that he's interested in the Jets job. Wonder if Belichick is getting a chubby knowing that he might coach against the Chin twice a year?

I think he should stay away, personally. He's got a cushy TV job. Why jeopardize his legacy as a coach a la so many others (Brett Favre being the most recent example)?

PS - Brett obviously isn't a coach, though he definitely has damaged his reputation, IMO with all of his crybaby games and this latest skid to 9-7 with the Jets.