The holiday season doesn't bring good tidings for everybody. Just ask those head coaches who are spending the New Year cleaning out their offices.With Romeo Crennel out of the picture in Cleveland, seemingly all eyes turned to former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher. He's been the talk of Cleveland since the Browns all but eliminated themselves from postseason contention, and the rumor that he may have purchased a house in Strongsville, Ohio only dumped gasoline on the inferno. Because, after all, it's just a short drive to not only downtown Cleveland -- roughly 20 minutes -- but also the Browns' practice facility in Berea, Ohio.
Well, sorry, Browns fans, but once again your dreams have been smashed, as Cowher informed Browns owner Randy Lerner that he has zero interest in coaching anywhere in 2009, and unfortunately for them, anywhere includes the city of Cleveland. From Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
"I got word that he was available for an informal conversation because he was very aware I had him at the top of the list, getting involved with the Browns," Lerner said. "He wanted to tell me personally that he did not anticipate coaching in 2009. I wouldn't say Bill Cowher was the first choice, but I would say Cowher was the clear, no-questions-asked, guy you wanted to ask where he stood."So, where do the Browns go now? According to Lerner, they plan to go after New England Patriots general manager Scott Pioli to replace the recently dismissed Phil Savage. Pioli has put together quite a resume in New England, is a proven commodity, and has yet to find himself in the middle of a cyber-fight with angry, enraged fans.
Honestly, if they can find a way to pry him out of New England, it might be the best front office move the Browns have made since ... well ... who knows when. It's been a while. Of course, I said the same thing when they hired Savage and Crennel. So, who really knows?
As for the vacant head coaching position, the Browns could always turn back the clock and kick the tires on Marty Schottenheimer, and according to Cabot's story on Cowher/Pioli, Lerner was somewhat intrigued by the idea of looking at Eric Mangini, because, you know, a former Bill Belichick disiciple worked out so well in Cleveland before.
As for Cowher, he played three seasons for the Browns from 1980-82 and was an assistant coach in Cleveland from 1985-88. He was head coach in Pittsburgh for 15 years, coaching in two super bowls, winning one, and compiling a 161-99-1 record (including playoffs).
He's accomplished pretty much everything there is to accomplish in the NFL and is a lock to be enshrined in Canton in the not-to-distant future. Making a comeback, especially with a franchise that appears to need a complete overhaul, doesn't seem like something that would make much sense. Which, I'm guessing, is why it's not happening.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-29-2008 @ 2:02PM
Mike said...
I don't see Pioli giving up his gig in New England to fail in Cleveland, especially with the unknown factor at the HC position. I definitely DON'T see Pioli as Browns' GM with Manjudas at the helm.
Romeo is a great DC and will land a good spot at that position. If he's allowed to focus solely on defense, he will succeed.
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12-29-2008 @ 5:56PM
jack said...
Who is this Manjudas you refered to ?
12-29-2008 @ 2:27PM
Mike said...
Manjudas=The now-unemployed Eric Mangini.
12-29-2008 @ 5:37PM
Butt Lovin Bear 401 said...
Mangini's problem was caused by Herm Edwards. Edwards ruined the Jets after he took over as head coach just like he ruined the Chiefs since his arrival in KC. The Chiefs were a high powered offense before he arrived & now they can't find the end zone. So Mangini had to basically start from scratch. Same with Crennel in Cleveland. It takes awhile to build a team when you don't have a solid core of players to start off with. Detroit hasn't been a truly competitive team for a long time who have been made worse by the finally fired Matt Millen. You'll also get worse if you never have stability on the sidelines with you coaching staff. That's a major reason why the Raiders suck. They've had seven different head coaches since Gruden left. So who you have in the "front office" making those kinds of decisions also matters. Changing coaches doesn't always solve your problems.
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12-30-2008 @ 10:48AM
spencer096 said...
i love how people call romeo a "great DC."
dude earned his rep under parcells and belichick...he did about as much coordinating as i did. he was an awful hire and screwed up the browns for the last 2 years and it's sickened me to death.
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12-30-2008 @ 10:56AM
Randy Adams said...
It would be great to see Marty Schottenheimer come back to Cleveland and coach the Browns. He's a proven winner and a great motivator. I think he could get some of the young talent the browns have to finally live up to their potential.
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12-30-2008 @ 12:53PM
Dave said...
The Browns need to look for a good coach and GM and not leftovers from New England. That was the problem iwth Romeo. Don't insult the fans of Cleveland by hiring leftovers from NE, get some proven people this time.
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12-31-2008 @ 10:56AM
jim said...
sometimes it's not all the coaches it's players that can't make a play i admit there are some great coaches out there as far as i'm concern jerry jones is a baby he just wants it's all everytime i see him sending wade packing if he has a chance at cower if anything they should get rid of al davis as he still living in the 70's glory hey but what do i know
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