Bill Cowher wants control and the Jets might be willing to give it to him.
A Jets source shot down a report that Cowher and the Jets talks were off because Cowher wanted to name his personnel director. The team source said the no formal interview has been set up but the Jets and Cowher have both expressed interest in speaking with each other. A specific time has not been set up for the meeting.
A source said GM Mike Tannenbaum is “willing to do what’s best for the team.” That may include giving up some of his personnel duties.
Cowher has told friends he wants to return to coaching in 2010, and would only consider 2009 if the situation was perfect. Are the Jets that fit?
Despite their late collapse the Jets won nine games this season and at one point were considered the AFC favorites. There are holes, but it would not be a complete rebuilding process.
Cowher has one daughter working in New York and another that goes to school at Princeton. Cowher works with CBS and is in Manhattan for the network’s pre and post-game shows on Sunday. And he would reportedly be interested in coaching in the spotlight of New York.
It would take a lot of money and concessions for the Jets to lure Cowher to New York, but it may be worth it considering Cowher’s resume.
Cowher coached the Steelers from 1992-2006 winning Super Bowl XL over the Seahawks. He also took Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl in 1995, but lost to the Cowboys. Including the playoffs Cowher was 161-99-1 in his 15 years with the Steelers.