Many have tried. Many have failed.
I'm talking, of course, about a team luring former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and current NFL analyst Bill Cowher out of retirement. The next challenger? The Buffalo Bills.
"During a midseason appearance on 'PFT Live,' Tim Graham of the Buffalo News suggested that [Bills team owner Terry and Kim Pegula] would pursue Bill Cowher, if/when a coaching vacancy arises," Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote. "The former Steelers coach, who led the team to a Super Bowl nine years ago, has from time to time mused about a return. Now eight years removed from the sidelines, his name rarely comes up as a viable candidate for vacant jobs.
"Two years ago, Cowher said off the air that he 'plans' to return to coaching, before going on the air to refute the very rumors he started. Maybe Cowher can start those rumors again, now that the Bills may be ready to give him the kind of money he never got from the Steelers."
Cowher is an annual candidate linked to several open head coaching spots. Without a true-blue franchise quarterback in place in Buffalo, it seems unlikely that he would end his retirement for the Bills. But crazier things have happened.
Cowher went 149-99-1 (.618 winning percentage) as a head coach in the NFL. He is 12-9 for his career in the playoffs.
The Bills franchise needs a clear-cut direction spearheaded by strong leadership. If it was to somehow coax Cowher out of his cushy TV position, the former Super Bowl winner has the pedigree and clout to instantly add credibility to any locker room. And it's not as if the Bills are completely devoid of talent. They went 9-7 this season thanks to one of the league's stingiest defenses and some highlight plays from first-round rookie receiver Sammy Watkins. I don't want to say they are one step from a Super Bowl, but some competent quarterback play and continued growth from the team's role players could lead to a playoff berth in the very near future.
We'll keep you updated as the Bills try to sort out who their next head coach will be.
