In Defense of Bill Cowher

So, the 2004-2005 NFL season is officially over. I must admit I felt like the Super Bowl ended the season with more of a whimper than a bang; to say nothing of the ESPN-televised Pro Bowl. Normally, this is the time when I go into a mild depression and waste time watching bad golf on TV. But this year is different as I have a brand new beautiful baby girl to keep me busy.

Despite my new forward-looking perspective, now would be a good time to take a moment to reflect on the season that has just ended. Not surprisingly, this leaves me thinking about my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. I hope readers will let me indulge a little personal venting. I feel I need to get a defense of Steeler head coach Bill Cowher off my chest.

After the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, I read a lot of people taking their frustration out on Bill Cowher. He can't win the big game. He is too conservative. He got outsmarted by Bill Belichick. He may be a good coach, but he isn't a great one. These were the complaints of Steeler fans.

I think this is a load of hooey. Allow me to explain. The first thing it is necessary to remember is that this team went 6-10 the year before. The record this year? 16-2. And the Steelers beat both of the Super Bowl teams during the regular season in convincing fashion and with a rookie quarterback. The Steelers also had a almost completely revamped coaching staff with new offensive and defensive coordinators. There were key injuries on both sides of the ball. There was every opportunity for the Steelers to fall apart this year, but they gutted out the best record in the league. The Super Bowl expectations were only the result of this amazing accomplishment.

Does every team want to win the Super Bowl? Heck, yeah. Am I disappointed the Steelers didn't add "one for the thumb" this year? More than you can imagine. But let's not throw the coach out with the bath water here. Bill Cowher is a solid coach in a very tough league. He may not have the world on a string like Belichick seems to, but he has produced some very good teams that have competed at the highest levels.

Let's take a look at his resume:

In Cowher's 12 seasons, the Steelers have captured seven division titles, earned eight postseason playoff berths, advanced to four AFC Championship games, and made one Super Bowl appearance. He is one of only six coaches in NFL history to claim at least seven division titles.

Not bad, huh? But what about this season, you may ask, didn't he underachieve again by losing the Championship Game at home? Yes and no. Did he take that next step toward greatness by going to the Super Bowl and having a chance at a ring? Obviously not. But that ignores the remarkable season that preceded that heart wrenching loss and the factors that went into it.

Did anyone dream that when Tommy Maddox went down in the second game of the season against Baltimore that the Steelers would not lose another game until the AFC Championship? Besides Maddox, the Steelers had to deal with significant injuries to their 2001 No. 1 draft pick, nose tackle Casey Hampton, safety Mike Logan, linebacker Kendrell Bell, and offensive lineman Kendall Simmons, not to mention lost games for running back Duce Staley and receiver Plaxico Burress. The Steelers were very young in the secondary, as well. Cowher deserves credit for molding this team into a very tough and cohesive unit that one 15 games in a row against some quality opponents.

I will freely admit that if Cowher wants to elevate his stature to the next level, he will need to get to the Super Bowl and win. So let's talk about that game in January. The key questions for me are did he put his players in a position to make plays and did he put his team in a position to win the game? I think the answers are both yes.

There is one ugly fact that a lot Steeler fans, including me, ignored going into the game against New England. A rookie quarterback has never led his team to the Super Bowl. There is a reason for this. The season is too long and the competition is too tough. Rookie of the Millennium Ben Roethlisberger had an awesome season, but he didn't have enough in the tank on that fateful Sunday night.

Remember, he played in 14 games in college in 2003. In 2004, Ben played in all four preseason games and 17 regular season and postseason games. That is 21 games. Clearly, he was mentally and physically exhausted. This is not when you want to face the defending Super Bowl champs looking to avenge a ugly loss during the regular season. Ben's three interceptions proved fatal despite a desperate comeback attempt.

Many sought to criticize Cowher for his playcalling, but if you look at the film, the plays were there to be made, but the players didn't make them. On the interception return for a touchdown, Roethlisberger threw it to the wrong receiver. The play was designed to go deeper and it was open. Late in the game when the Steelers were trying to get within a touchdown, Ben tossed an awkward lob pass to Plaxico Burress in the endzone, but Burress couldn't come up with it. The Steelers had to settle for a field goal and lost a lot of momentum.

Cowher was criticised for that call and for going for the field goal. But if Burress, who likes to talk a lot of trash and is complaining about not getting the ball enough, catches the pass that hit him in his hands, the question is moot. Cowher can't make the catch for him. I say Cowher did the right thing by getting points. They were only down 11 points with almost the entire fourth quarter to go. Unfortunately, some key penalties and big plays allowed the Patriots to add points and eat up the clock. Roethlisberger threw his final interception and the Patriots iced the game.

It is clear to me that the Steelers had the talent to win the game and that Cowher put the team in that position. His players were in a position to win the game and they failed. I don't think any coaching decision could have changed the outcome. What are the odds that a team can overcome four turnovers against a very good team? Slim. Ultimately, players have to make the plays. Tom Brady and his teammates avoided making key mistakes and won the game.

One final point is worth noting, as well. A lot of teams would love to have Cowher's problem. Look at the Browns and Bengals or the Arizona Cardinals or a host of other teams who haven't even sniffed the post season recently. How about teams like the Miami Dolphins who, despite great talent, can't even make the playoffs or lose in the first-round every year? Or look at the Philadelphia Eagles, a team who lost three straight championship games and just lost a Super Bowl. Is Andy Reid a bad coach because he doesn't have three or four rings? Sometimes, you get beat because the other team was better that day.

Bill Cowher has worked hard to address key Steeler weaknesses and mould a team that can win a Super Bowl. This is an arduous task in the free agency era. He has come agonizingly close lately only to fall short. But I will take his stability and determination over a great many fly-by-night sensations.

The Rooney family knew what they were doing when they signed Cowher and they know what they are doing when they gave him an extension. As a diehard Steeler fan, I hope he is around for a long time. I have a strong sense that he will one day get his ring and take his place with Chuck Noll as a great Steeler coach.

Comments and Conversation

February 16, 2005

Dan Seubert:

I’m a student envisioning to become a sports writer and of course I am a die hard Steelers fan. I accidentally slipped into this website actually looking for information about Big Daddy Libscomb, but found something that nabbed my attention.

I am really glad that someone feels pretty much the same way I do about the whole situation. I agree with almost everything you say here. The one point I think people aren’t stressing enough is the 22 games Ben played this year as opposed to 16 last year. If the Afc Championship was in week 10, Ben has enough juice in that arm to make those plays that slipped by him. I am convinced that his arm went sour somewhere in the Ravens game or the week following that. I think he had a long season and it was very tough on him pyschically. I also think that he will be rewarded by his experience with a much stronger postseason arm next year.

My last point that I wish you had coverd is the Steelers unrestricted Free agents fates. I really don’t know if Burress will be a man and stay, and I think the Steelers should trade Bell only for the reason that you can at least get a low round pick for him, get some compensation. I strongly believe Bettis loves the game too much and is in too great of shape to walk right now, he’ll return. I have also heard the team will cut Chad Scott in a cap move.

Finally if you have any info on why the Steelers have no cap room this year I’d love to see it because I can’t figure where all their money is going.

Great article man.

February 17, 2005

Beweep:

Funny, I thought Roethlisberger broke his toes in the AFC game? Now he was just tired? Isn’t that the same excuse that Donovan gave about losing the Super Bowl?

February 17, 2005

firstsoldier:

I believe last year was a stepping stone for this year Super Bowl Champs. Watch the Steelers win it all this year. To be better than last year they have to go 16-0. I believe they can do it.

February 17, 2005

Norman Hazen:

All your hype about Cowher falls on deaf ears here. Because as long as he is the coach of the steelers they will never win the super bowl….NEVER! Do I need to remind you that Brady was a first year quaterback in his first super bowl. The bottom line is this Cowher is out coached in every big game they play in. Even the lucky playoff win vs. the Jets. I could list a number of reasons why he should be fired but I won’t waste the time to type all of them. Going for that field goal in the AFC championship game is just one example. That was the worst decsion ever made in a playoff game. I thought the Steelers were a power team. But the are a weak team that will always,always fall short. I wonder in what way they wiil come up short next year.

February 18, 2005

Chris Hill:

Loved your article … in my opinion it was right on the mark.

I’m not sure where all of these “Cowher” haters live, but they obviosuly do not grasp or apprciate what he has accomplished during his tenure.

I was born and raised in Detroit, but spent 1993 - 1998 in Pittsburgh. During my time there I became a huge Steelers fan for many reasons … great history, great management/ownership, great fans, great defense, but most of all a great coach. A coach that is as enthusiastic about the game as his players.

I’d be lying if I said I was not dissapointed when they lost the AFC championship this year. However, as you noted they went 6-10 the previous year and far exceeded my expectations this year.

If these people are unhappy with Cowher then they should choose another team to pull for … perhaps the Lion’s who have gone through God knows how many coaches over the past 13 seasons and still have not won more than perhaps two playoff games.

Yes, Cowher and the Steelers have lost four AFC Championships, and in two cases they probably were the better team. But as we all know the better team does not always win. And a game plan is only good if the players execute it.

This was a “TEAM” loose … the defense could not stop the Patriots, they could not create a turnover, and the running game for the most part was non-existant. All of which put more pressure on Ben which is not what they wanted to do.

Bottom line it’s a game … nothing more. And Cowher and his staff and players provided me with 16 great weekends of football this past season.

The off season is going to be interesting to say the least, but I am confident that Cowher and the rest of his staff will put another great team on the field next year … hopefully one that will be here in Detroit next February.

All you “Cowher” haters can say what you want, but be careful what you wish for … you have a proven coach who routinely leads his teams to the playoffs more often than not. And there are very few teams/cities that can typically look forward to thier team making the playoffs. Just talk to anyone in Detroit!

February 18, 2005

Jayster:

Dear Mr. Hazen,
First I would like to address your comment about how Pittsburgh will NEVER win a Super Bowl with Coach Cowher. HOW THE HELL WOULD YOU KNOW??? If you have a problem with our Coach or our Team, go be a “fan” of somebody elses team. If your that well versed on what it takes to win a Super Bowl, I find it amazing that you weren’t snapped up by one of the losing teams to remedy the situation. You sir, are an asshole who probably never even played any organized sport, let alone pro football. As for Coach Cowher, I would be sorely disappointed in the Rooneys’ and the Pittsburgh Steelers if they ever let a Coach this good get away

February 18, 2005

Robert Moyers:

Good analysis. One question. At the moment of truth (2nd down on the 3), was the Ben to Plex pass a check-off call by Ben or Plex at the line? Or was it the original play called? I think it was a check-off and that three more runs into the line were on the books. Any more information available on “the moment”? Oh yest, Bill still is too conservative and he plays the percentages on the field goal. And he had to know the momentum was going to go south. It was the time to go with his heart and not his head. But his “faith” will continue to grow and he will come to realize how important it is to be “in touch with the Lord” and to do God’s will on a daily basis. He still is the man of the moment in my book. So I will write him my annual encouragement letter and see if he would like me to speak to his staff with our “No More Stress Just Happiness” plan for success. By the way, would you like a copy of the plan?

February 19, 2005

Jon Gonzales:

I’m a burnt Steeler fan too. Let’s not forget all the games they won without Chad Scott. I could foresee the win vs. the Pats during the season. NE was banged up and had pressure from their winning streak. The Steelers were loose, at home, and came big with Staley as the starter, and Bettis as the finisher at the goal line. This was Pitt’s best one-two. In the playoffs, Bettis started, which was not the best way to go. The bread and butter all year when Duce was healthy was to send him through the tackles and punish the defense and send in the Bus when teams were tired an pushed back to their end zone. Pitt would have had a better chance at controlling the game early. Also, Aaron Smith’s defensive holding penalty on Faulk on 3rd and 17 killed the game. What seemed to be a momentum shift after the Pats held the Steel to a field goal, quickly would’ve shifted again had the ball gone back to the Steel down 11 with a quarter to go, but instead the Pats got a gift and they made use of it, which is a credit to the 3 time champs. It hurts, but it is no shame to lose the Pats. They are as solid of an organization as anyone’s, especially in this era of free agency, and anyone who knows the game, knows that the AFC championship game was the actual Super Bowl. And another thing, I love Steeler fans, but they clam up as much as their team when it comes to rooting in championship games. Sure, the towels are waving from the get go, but once they feel their team is reeling, they quiet easily. It’s no coincidence that Philly and Pitt have lost as many home championship conference games as they do. They clam up in Pennsylvania. Boston area fans know who to be a better twelth man than the Penn fans. I still love my Steelers and felt it was a great year game in and out and will have a tough road ahead, but will perservere in time. Bill is for Pittsburgh, no doubt. I hope i go through life just knowing that Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and maybe some other solid coach will head the Steelers. Raider fans can never say that.

Thanks for carrying the pain for us in a nicely written article.

March 15, 2005

Mark Pruitt:

I came back and re-read this story today (March 15, 2005). My initial reaction when I read it in February was that regardless of the variables, the one constant in Steeler teams that consistently fall short is Coach Cowher.

I don’t feel any different a month later. If the Redsox can win a World Series, I suppose Cowher could win a Super Bowl. Like many Steeler fans, I’m tired of the near misses, and I’m really tired of being bounced out of the playoffs by the stinkin’ Patriots on their way to a Super Bowl title.

I’m getting riled up typing this, so I’m going to quit.

March 16, 2005

Kevin Holtsberry:

Yeah, because the Red Sox won the World Series after a gazillion years Cowher must win a Super Bowl … makes sense to me.

In the last ten SBs 7 coaches have won out of lord knows how many coaches have been in the game over those ten years. Is Mike a better coach than Bill Cowher because he won a SB? Would you trade Cowher for Martz? What about Mike Holmgren?

Winning Super Bowls is rare. If that is the requirement for being a good coach few pass muster.

March 17, 2005

Mark Pruitt:

I’m not questioning Cowher’s ability or talent as a coach. He consistently has Pittsburgh in the playoffs, where they lose 80% of the time to the eventual Super Bowl Champions on their home turf in the AFC Title Game.

The Patriots changed their offense three times during the playoffs; run heavy against the Colts, pass heavy against the Steelers, and a split with slight advantage to passing against the Eagles.

Inside of the five yard line, when the Steelers settled for a field goal, Bellicheck called Harrison to the side line and told him to have the defense look for Bettis on third down, because Cowher doesn’t call the QB sneak.

There’s no doubt Cowher will continue to win games as the Steeler coach. There is also no evidence he’s capable of leading the Steeler’s to an NFL Championship.

March 22, 2005

Chris Hill:

In response to Mr. Pruitt’s comment … I’m glad you are not one of the Rooney’s.

There’s no evidence Cowher will lead the Steeler’s to an NFL Champioship? What do you base this on … the lone fact he has not won one yet? I guess coaches who have won the Super Bowl have never lost in the playoffs previously or since … right?

Your an idiot … there can only be one Champion, and Cowher has yet to win his. I guess the Steeler’s should hire some other coach, and then spend a couple of years rebuilding the team to suit the new coaches style. And what gaurenttee’s do you have this will win a Super Bowl … NONE!

I guess you’d prefer the unknown and possibly not making the playoffs than getting there at all.

March 25, 2005

Mark Pruitt:

Chris, I have a different opinion on Cowher’s ability to lead the Steelers to a Championship than yourself or Kevin. Calling someone an “idiot” because they disagree with you is pretty immature.

If the owners of the team ever hire a new coach, they’re not going to hire somone who will redo everything the team does. That running philosophy comes from the top down. Cowher didn’t change the style of play when he became the coach, that’s one of the reasons he was hired.

I’m not in favor of a flashy passing game at the expense of the run; running and defense wins championships. Keep in mind that you, myself, Kevin, nor anyone else reading this or responding to it has any influence on who the head Coach of the Steelers is. But we all have our opinions, and evidently don’t mind expressing them.

Lot’s of coaches would love to just make it to the playoffs like Cowher does most years. A lot of coaches have lost playoff games. How many losses in the AFC Championship at Heinz Field do you want to see during the rest of Cowher’s tenure here? I don’t want to see any; a new coach is not a guantee anything will be different. But I know that until I see different, anytime the Steelers are playing in an AFC Championship game, especially at home, I’m going to have that sick feeling of impending doom until the game is over.

March 25, 2005

Mark Pruitt:

“There’s no evidence Cowher will lead the Steeler’s to an NFL Champioship? What do you base this on … the lone fact he has not won one yet?”

That’s a pretty important fact, Chris. How many coaches have had as many chances as Cowher? If you, myself, Kevin, or anyone else were only 20% successful at our jobs over your career, we’d be in trouble.

“I guess the Steeler’s should hire some other coach, and then spend a couple of years rebuilding the team to suit the new coaches style.

The Rooney’s wouldn’t hire someone who would revamp the team that much. Part of the reason Cowher got the Job is he felt the same about the running game as the Rooney’s.

“And what gaurenttee’s do you have this will win a Super Bowl … NONE! ”

No guarantees either way.

“there can only be one Champion, and Cowher has yet to win his.”

Yet, he’s had his chances, hasn’t he?

To call someone an idiot because they disagree with you is pretty immature. If you can’t take someone else’s opinion without getting all steamed up, maybe you’d shouldn’t read web sites like this one.

May 19, 2005

norm:

Steelers will have a “more normal” season in 05 not the fluke 15 & 1. They will not be in upper echelon of AFC & Patriots will be waving to them in rear view mirror again…
Pats are build for the long haul, every new acquisition ( even non football personnel) are required to read & sign “mission statement” that “Pats are world champs & intend to do everything possible to continue contending & achieveing that status”. Best organization in football , best coach & best QB & best clutch kicker = World Champs (3 & counting) !!!!!

October 5, 2005

Dunny:

u guys are crazy. there is no way cowher will win a championship. he is a motivational speaker but no an x and o’s kinda guy. he shouldve been a statistician and not a coach. cowher ball means u play the so called odds. u are talking about a man who played for a tie against the falcons years ago. in our super bowl year we ran 4 to 5 man sets all year. he waited until we were down by 10 before he played an aggressive style offense that got us to the bowl. if he was on the streets, he’d be the type that waited for someone to hit him 1st before he reacted. the problem is sometimes that hit you are waiting on, knocks u out. when was the last time the steelers attacked a team? when was the last time we used all of our weapons like other teams. a pass to the tight end or the running back out of the backfield. his idea of game planning is going up against a football genius (bellichek) and running straight up the middle. are u effin kiddin me? u guys who cheer 4 this bonehead are not true fans. true fans want him the hell out of here to win another championship. dont give me this bull#$% about how many regular seasons he has under his belt. he has had 14 yrs to win a championship and we have nothing except stories about lynn swann—terry bradshaw—mean joe—jack lambert etc. that is getting old. how many more championships we have to lose? why other teams get close and fulfill their dreams and not us? we have had more than enough talent over the years to win a championship within the last 14 years. your article talks about putting the steelers in position to win a championship. what game were u watching. i didnt see rollouts—misdirections to counter aggressiveness—enough passes on 1st down to keep the ne’s defense honest—passes to running backs out the backfield—tightends catching passes—i saw dumb a@$ cowher ball running into the teeth of an 8 man fron ne defense waiting for that play after play. yeah it works against teams that arent as physical as us but not against teams just as good and big talent wise. u all need to wake up and look in the mirror. and for the fan who said if we dont like cowher choose a different team, he is the true traitor. he is telling us medicrocity is ok. u people are the reason y we dont have 1 for the thumb because u except failure year after year.

November 30, 2005

chris:

cheers to dunny!!!! i could not have said it any better. to give bill cowher his due, he is exceptional at motivating and getting the most out of his players. that said it only goes so far. he can definately take a bad team to the playoffs but he is not a “championship coach” he doesn’t come across as a bright coach because he gets outcoached in every “big” game. i bleed black and gold and “steeler” pride is very important to me. bill cowher doesn’t give us any pride. he is an embarrassment to the tradition of great steeler football. we need a coach that is smart and has brains. cowher is not this. hell i would rather have dave wannstedt!!!! of all of cowher’s statistics the one that is most important is this: 1-5 that is his record in afc championships and super bowl. that is sad really sad.

December 27, 2005

the419:

Belichick, “the genius,” couldn’t win a game to save his arse in Cleveland, and, again, now he’s a genius. If the coach is a genius, why did he have a 40% winning percentage in cleveland? He has some talent now, and he’s he won 3 —kudos to him, the players, and the organizations. But enough with the “genius” moniker. I saw some of the worst football in NFL history with Belichick at the helm in Cleveland.

November 19, 2006

Alonzo Regna:

when the ball is being run, run it to the outside with willie parker and do screens. take out rothlisberger and put back charlie batch. he did a great job in pre-season.do more hail mary’s

November 19, 2006

Alonzo Regna:

need more defensive players

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