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Bill Cowher no longer a candidate for New York Jets' coaching job
by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday December 30, 2008, 9:09 PM
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher has taken himself out of the running for the Jets coaching job.The Jets' courtship of Bill Cowher lasted only a few hours Tuesday before he took himself out of the running for the team's vacant head coaching job.
Early in the day, Cowher had agreed to talk to the club about the opening created when the Jets fired Eric Mangini on Monday morning. But by late Tuesday night, the team was informed that Cowher wasn't interested.
"After reaching out to coach Cowher's representatives, we were informed (Tuesday night) that he's not a candidate for the position," the Jets said in a statement just after 11 p.m.
With Cowher no longer a candidate, the Jets will turn their attention to Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who is scheduled to meet with them on Saturday. Current Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer also will get a shot in the coming days.
There was no word late Tuesday night if the organization would be interested in Mike Shanahan, who was fired by Denver. Shanahan, however, is another coach who would want major say in personnel matters.
According to a person with knowledge of the discussions, Cowher cited the need to focus on his family. Talks never advanced to scheduling an interview, and material items such as money, the structure of the organization and length of contract were never discussed.
It is believed Cowher wants total control over personnel matters in his next job and that was thought to be an issue with the Jets with general manager Mike Tannenbaum firmly entrenched.
But Tannenbaum was willing to share personnel decisions with a high-profile coach such as Cowher, said a team official who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation.
"Mike isn't on an ego trip," the official said.
After announcing Mangini's firing Monday, Jets owner Woody Johnson made it clear he believes in the separation of the business and coaching aspects of his organization.
"It's too much" to coach and oversee personnel matters, Johnson said Monday. "There's no way that you can do it, in my opinion, and really do it, because you're always relying on somebody else. You may think that you have the power, but you can't make those discerning decisions, there's just too much work to do and be a coach."
Johnson is not going to compromise that belief to bring in a high-profile coach, the team official said.
In addition to Spagnuolo (who also could interview with the Browns) and Schottenheimer, the Jets' short list of candidates includes Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and Jets assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
The Jets didn't fire any assistant coaches and some will be retained by the new head coach. Schottenheimer, Callahan and defensive line coach Dan Quinn are among the coaches the Jets would like to keep, according to someone with knowledge of the organization's thinking who requested anonymity.
But Cowher, 50, was the Jets' dream choice. In 15 seasons as the Steelers coach, he compiled a 161-99-1 record, including the playoffs, before stepping down in January 2007. He won eight division titles, earned 10 playoff berths, reached six AFC Championship games and two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XL.
"I think one of the best things (Cowher) did is he always did the right thing at the right time," said Jets veteran left guard Alan Faneca, who played nine seasons under Cowher. "I think whether it was motivation or practice schedule or what to say or what not to say or how to do things, he had real good timing on things."
Cowher recently turned down an opportunity to interview with the Cleveland Browns, a team he played for. He is expected to speak publicly about his coaching future during CBS' wild-card pregame show on Sunday.
WOW -- that certainly is a different headline from the one that NJ .com had earlier today--- something like -- COWHER NOT INTERESTED IN JETS JOB. Well done.-----Due to NFL Rules, the Jets must interview Sharpe James, and one Female (Kim Jones?--worst ever) before they can hire Cowher.
Hey Jet Nation, Cowher is a perfect fit for this team at this time. Record your support if you agree. Open the check book, Woody, and get this guy. And a nice job reporting by Hutch!
bill cower or mike shanagen either would be great forget the rest, If brett favre gets his shoulder repaired and wants to play you see a lot of difference if we can get some speedy wide receivers and a few defenseive secondary help pat white would be a great addation to the team go favre go jets
mike shannagen or cower would be ok but bill cower does not want favre as he stated this year on cbs nfl today so i'm for mike shannagen who knows what favre can do for favre beat him enough go favre go jets
Hutch, What the $%#^# are you doing? First you report Cowher will talk to the Jets, getting Jet Nation all pumped up, and now your are reporting that he's not interested. This search is going to be a bumpy ride!
Poor Hutch! Apparently Cowher planned a meeting, then just tonight decided to get out of the running. Hang in the Hutch, nothing comes easy with the Jets!
Shanahan would be great. He's got a rep for play-calling and utilizing RBs and making them studs. He's already got 2 in Jones and Washington. I bet he'd work well with Favre, having had Elway at the end of his career.
We're missing the hole point of the article. The organization wants to interview Shotty and at best keep him with the new coach. Wasn't he pretty bad with play calling....not able to adjust as the game went on...never stuck with what was working...never utlized the best he had.
Fire him asap...let him be someone elses problem. We need an overhaul...Eric was the entire problem with this coaching staff.
gwinn1952 is correct. The younger Schottenheimer is not the solution, nor is Callahan or the young lady.
Jets have all of the ingredients, right now (yes, even with Favre at the wheel) to go far into the playoffs next season. They just need the right handlers, i.e. someone that knows when to stick with what's working, when to switch from run to pass, when to rush the quarterback with more than three men, etc.
First you have to wait till Brett makes up his mind(AGAIN) whether he wants to play or not. Then find a coach only-since Mr.T wants to be involved in the decision making.
Get rid of Farve and hire a GM to find the coach. Wasn't Mr.T just a salary cap guy under Parcells? This common sense from a Dolphins fan who is jumping for joy at the difference a GM/Football operations guy can do. Dolphins/Jets is a great rivalry cause we both have won nothing in 40 years. Let's see who gets there first?
I hope Favre doesn't come back. This team is not close, obviously, so why have a 40 year old QB. If the Jets can't get Cowher, they need someone with his coaching style. Shannahan isn't it. I don't have the answer, but I hope who ever they choose has some balls.
Just the thought of keeping Shottenheimer is beyond belief. Play-calling is what took an 8-3 division-leader and sunk them, along with lack of motivation. They are about 3 players away from being a legit contender, a good DB, a good WR (either a possession guy or a Boldin), and a good blocking TE.
Is there any reason why he declined the Jets job? Is it anything to do with keeping coordinators? I think a guy like Cowher who obviously wants personnel control probably did not like the idea of having people already put in place for him, just my 2 cents
as expected a no-brainer. jets wont give up control, so Cowher walks.
"Mike isnt on an ego trip"? after all he is willing to share...
and Johnson is an expert in knowing that you cannot run operations and coach, right woody. just how many superbowls have you won?
this franchise has dingleberries for brains,
where's Rich Kotite when you need him?
He doesn't want to "co-coach" along with Brett, because he knows Favre is shot & hanging on to faded glory. The Jets will not win anything until they jettison Lord Favre & find a new QB who doesn't cripple the team with turnovers.
Anybody thinking this team is a couple players away is as nuts as the TWOODY combo.
1. Quarterback- light years away- What coach worth his salt will want to come with a 1 year at most in the tank QB I like Ratliff more than Clemens and Cassell if he hits the market might be a good fit but he won't have a Moss or Welker to throw too!!
2. Outside linebackers- can't cover my grandmother who is dead for 30 years Anyone seen Bryon Thomas since week 3 3. Inside linebackers- ditto and the one good one is now an injury waiting to happen every game once nicked always nicked
4. Secondary- was fair when we got 90% of our sacks in the first 10 games,Revis can't cover them all baby, a secondary is only as good as your pass rush is effective especially
in the NFL If you find Thomas ask him if he has seen the pass rush will ya
5. O line- ask Favre's battered body but part of that is his 39 year old 12 inch spikes. Dominant and dominated at times. Hey Bricks in the pro bowl myyyyyy godddddddd. Nick deserves it though
6.Speed receiver- been saying that about 20 years or since Wesley retired
7. Tight end- Baker blocks well enough but Keller needs to improve or the lack of blocking respect will limit his receiving capacities
8. Running back- we need to draft the future replacement for Jones and not let the Giants sign this one. Jones and Leon are solid
9. Kicking game- Feely or Nugent? Hodges was ok but we have not had a punter since SHHHT I can't remember--- Jennings or Ramsey
10. Coaching- With Cowher out, who worth their salt wants to come to an organization with such a storied past ( bad writing man)However Sutton and Shotty need to move on. This hire will not be as easy as everyone thinks cause this position is not as rosie as eveybody thinks and they did fire the coach with a winning record this season albeit tainted at best. In looking at the above maybe Mangini did not do as bad a job as you all think!! The woes continue!
Avergersman, You are 100% dead-on. Schottenheimer is almost as much to blame as Mangini. It was this clown who was making the worst play calling decisions I have ever seen. The only reason Mangini is more responsible is that he let it continue for as long as it did. If they keep this guy around, what was the point of canning Mangini? Why not bring back Sutton too?
The Jets are adorable. I hope they find someone to be their coach.
“Last year, we had an opportunity in free agency that we hadn’t had,” Johnson said. “We took advantage of it. It was successful.” Those are Woody's words...if not making the playoffs was successful why did he fire Mangini?
Oldtimer76 is right...this team has BIG PROBLEMS!
According to Foxsports Cowher doesn't want the job because he didn't want Brett as his QB. What he'd rather have Big Ben who was 17TD/15INT/QB rating of 80.1? Doesn't make sense to me. Give Brett some receivers who can catch ball, get seperation from DB's and a defense that can hold the lead....we'd be in the playoffs. Yes he made some bad throws but look at how many times he brought the team back after one for the lead but defense couldn't hold on because of poor tackling or that dumb prevent defense. Come on Cowher...Jets have talent....just need coaches that know what to do with it. Bret come back one more year while you groom a replacement Or maybe you're scared you'll have another Cornell Stewert (poor record then). A good coach takes what he is given...add's a little...and makes them great. Apparently you're worried about your legacy.
gwinn 1952 you are right needed good speady receivers and others also defense secondary also favre shoulder gets repaired he do great he won good till he got hurt if he still wants to play i'm for him go favre go jets
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