Cowher’s Contract? Interim Solution?

General NCS Football108

Fanblogs.com had a nice comprehensive piece that will interest you.

The entry includes links to Pittsburgh newspapers that highlight Bill Cowher’s contractual status with the Steelers has him committed through next season. The newspapers also suggest that the Rooney family is probably not inclined to allow Cowher out of his contract to coach anywhere next season – including a college job.

Obviously this is just speculation and nobody knows what goes on behind the scenes. But, as much as the last seven years have seen the stars move closer to alignment for the dream of Bill Cowher coaching at NC State, it kind of feels like the stars could still be just one year a away from reaching optimal positioning.

With ^this said, allow me propose a potential solution and throw something out for fun. I realize that this is a stretch, but SFN is a fan site and this is what we do; we talk like fans and come up with fan-like scenarios.

Assumptions
First, we must assume for a moment that the following information and speculation is correct (some of which we KNOW is correct…but just run with it) :

* Consistent with many past public and private statements, Bill Cowher truly would like to end his coaching career as the head football coach of his alma mater, NC State University.

* Bill Cowher really would be willing to trade an NFL salary and job that will pay him north of $6 million per annum in the future for a different challenge on the college level that would pay him approximately $2 million a year.

* The Rooney’s will refuse to release Cowher to coach anywhere other than Pittsburgh in 2007.

* Kay Cowher and Bill Cowher would like to take a year off from coaching (2007) on any level before getting back into the game.

Proposed Solution
IF these three variable are all true AND Bill Cowher would commit to be NC State’s Head Football coach starting in 2008, then why wouldn’t NC State consider an INTERIM HEAD COACH for 2007?

If Cowher truly wants the job and the problem is truly nothing more than logistics, then why wouldn’t NC State consider an INTERIM HEAD COACH for 2007?

Stick with me here and think about this as I propose it.

This solution could achieve almost everything that both sides want. State gets its man AND Coach Cowher gets the job that he has previously indicated he wants while having the year of family time without the Rooney’s having any power over the situation? Aren’t ‘win-win’ scenarios the goal of all great solutions?

* Let’s be clear about one thing — this solution is predicated on public disclosure and knowledge that Coach Cowher would be leading the program in 2008. This public component of the recipe is vital to its potential success. This is not a suggestion that we tell the world that “Coach X” is taking over and then Cowher arrives in 2008. The world must know of the situation so that the assistants can be immediately staffed ‘permanently’ and so that the program can be recruiting to Coach Cowher’s presence and reputation immediately.

Try to think innovatively about this and realize that there may be very plausible solutions staring us in the face. I am going to talk about one coach (Jim Donnan) in this scenario but ask you to recognize that Donnan is simply an example of one of many potential coaches that may fit the proposed solution.

As SFN reported yesterday, Jim Donnan has been making a play at the NC State job. (Also, please don’t read anything into that other than the fact that Donnan has expressed an interest. As far as SFN has heard there is little to no reciprocation of interest from the NC State side)

Additionally, allow me to share a little something more that I find interesting – BEFORE Chuck Amato was fired, I was told by someone connected to a big Georgia booster that Donnan had made reference to this booster of his interest in the NC State job. But, what was most interesting is that Donnan had added a statement that he (paraphrased) “would even do the job on an interim basis if that is what State wanted”.

At the time I heard this I found this unprompted reference to being an interim coach interesting. Considering where we stand today, I find this fascinating.

We all know that IF Bill Cowher was ever going to be named head coach in Raleigh that he would have to bring with him an experienced and highly-qualified COLLEGE staff. The two pieces of the puzzle that are going to be most vital for Cowher will be: (1) an assistant who can help him maneuver the college system and (2) a keen COLLEGE offensive coordinator.

Well…who does that describe? If Jim Donnan would be willing to be the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator when Cowher arrives would you NOT want to take this package deal?

NC State fans who love what Paul Johnson did at the Division 1-AA level certainly can’t complain with this idea. Like Johnson, Jim Donnan also won a 1-AA National Championships and 2 Coach of the Year honors while successfully scaring the hell out of Division One teams at Marshall. He also succeeded on a much higher level at Georgia than Johnson has at just Navy. (Donnan was 40-19 overall and 25-15 in the SEC)

In addition to coaching at Florida State, Donnan was the Offensive Coordinator of Oklahoma’s high powered offenses from 1985-1989 when the Sooners won 49 games, including 27 straight Big Eight contests and the 1985 National Championship.

Donnan is currently a part-time ESPN announcer who is not going to get another Head Coaching gig unless he does something else first. Even if he only wants to use the interim job as a stage to get another head job then what harm is there? State would get one of the best head coaches of the 1980s and 1990s on our sideline who is obviously driven to succeed as much as he can with his opportunity. I’ve got no problem with that. If he stays then you get Donnan’s offensive success and knowledge of the college game packaged with Bill Cowher’s Super Bowl trophy and NFL success That ain’t too bad.

Again, remember that these suggestions are designed to be ‘win-win’ for all involved and:

* are obviously based on a situation where Cowher is committed to NC State but the logistics can’t immediately come together

* use Jim Donnan as a specific example that fits the proposed solution. There obviously could be many other coaches that also fit the solution.

Talk to me. Why wouldn’t we do this? Tell me what you think!

General NCS Football

108 Responses to Cowher’s Contract? Interim Solution?

  1. 98st8 11/29/2006 at 10:36 AM #

    ^ I agree with ShootingGuard… if money is the end all and be all then why is Jim Grobe so happy at Wake Forest and not interested in Alabama or other “big time jobs”. JG is making 900m today and could make 2mm at Alabama if offered. He has said no thank you… I love Winston Salem and wake Forest. Money and status is not what everyone desires. BC may want to be the best damn coach ever at NCSTATE and retire in Raleigh.

  2. CarnifeX 11/29/2006 at 10:42 AM #

    I wouldn’t think so Barry, any recruit you drop the name Bill Cowher to is gonna be ecstatic.

    Fun idea. Pitch it to the right people at the right time, it could happen. Its all about presentation.

    If Cowher was a given to come in THE NEXT YEAR, I don’t think there’d be too much possibility of the fanbase not welcoming him in, especially if its, as SFN said it must be, a very public piece of knowledge. Which brings up another question for me, how would this pan out in public realm and could our PR dept. handle this? (see: everything else our PR dept. has ever handled).

  3. ibleedred 11/29/2006 at 10:44 AM #

    the media hates us already, might as well grab cowher (knock on wood)

  4. Lock 11/29/2006 at 10:44 AM #

    Either way, as much as I’d like to see Cowher here…there really does seem to be quite a few quality names out there, some of whom actually showing interest.

    I think we’re gonna come out on top at the end of this, whoever we end up hiring.

  5. Dan 11/29/2006 at 10:50 AM #

    I think the interim coach presents an insurmountable challenge when it comes to recruiting. Not only is this class sacrificed, but so is next year’s. You lose two recruiting classes in football, and you better have a fan base that has at least 5 years of patience to deal with very bad years. Cowher’s presence would generate too much hype to allow that sort of patience.

    However, I’m not sure the Rooney’s can afford to trap Cowher. They cannot afford to have a coach there that is uniterested. The local media has already started to call for Cowher’s head. I know its unbelievable, but its true.

    http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06332/741748-150.stm

    If Pittsburg continues to struggle, the local media will put a ton of pressure on the Rooney’s to let Cowher free.

  6. PTOWOLF 11/29/2006 at 10:51 AM #

    I can’t imagine the Rooney’s going into 2007 with a lame duck coach.

  7. BJD95 11/29/2006 at 10:58 AM #

    I like the idea generally, and LOVE the idea if Donnan is the interim guy. The way I look at it, you would want the interim guy to be (i) older; and (ii) experienced. It makes it less likely that he uses the situation as a power play, and that he WON’T have to be learning on the job (like a brand new HC would). Who fits that perfectly? Jim Donnan. It’s unlikely to find someone with that combination, and especially rare for that person to have had a pretty decent track record as HC.

    Also, you have to look at motivation. It seems to me that Donnan is looking to mend fences with NC State. On a personal level, I like that. If Donnan just wanted to get back into coaching, certainly he could have done so already – his track record wasn’t great, but it was good.

  8. PTOWOLF 11/29/2006 at 10:58 AM #

    Especially one who didn’t make the playoffs in 2006.

  9. Cardiff Giant 11/29/2006 at 11:05 AM #

    My gut reaction is, no way. Perhaps upon reflection I will feel differently.

  10. RedTerror29 11/29/2006 at 11:05 AM #

    I like the idea in general, but don’t know if Donnan could get it. What would you guys think about Lou Holtz (I think he would do it – isn’t that essentially what he did at USC?)? Or is there anyone else that would fit the bill not named Donnan or Chow (I don’t think he would do it)?

  11. BJD95 11/29/2006 at 11:07 AM #

    I don’t think recruiting is sacrificed at all. The REST of the staff will already be in place. They KNOW they will eventually play for a Super Bowl champion. I think that’s a relatively easy sell.

  12. joe 11/29/2006 at 11:09 AM #

    I would imagine Cowher could leave this year if he pays a buyout – you cannot force someone to work for you if they don’t want to. The only issue would be if Pittsburgh makes him pay the full buyout , reduces it, or waives it.

  13. whitefang 11/29/2006 at 11:10 AM #

    I agree with PTO. The Rooney’s may blink and let Cowher off the hook based on him staying and collecting the $4 mill with his heart not in it. Of course he could “retire” walk away from his contract and not coach anywhere next year, but couldn’t he also be playing this behind the scenes with a “I’m staying here and you can pay me even though I don’t want to be here, or you can fire me and pay me, OR you can release me, save $4 mill next year and hire a coach that wants to be here.” If he really doesn’t want to coach the Steelers, looks like option 3 should make the most sense to the Rooney’s.

  14. Lock 11/29/2006 at 11:14 AM #

    Cowher got the Rooneys a national championship. Time for them to return a favor.

    Wishful thinking ftw.

  15. PTOWOLF 11/29/2006 at 11:14 AM #

    If Cowher tells the Rooneys, “I’m coaching NC State in 2008. But don’t worry I’ll fullfill my Steelers contract for 2007”, I think the Rooneys let Cowher walk and put Russ Grimm in charge.

  16. highonlowe 11/29/2006 at 11:15 AM #

    Recruiting shouldn’t be compromised at all. We would still have a great coach at the helm, AND, in 1 season The Bill Cowher will step in as head coach with the prior coach as OC.
    A junior in HS makes a verbal commitment know that his freshman year Cowher will be his coach. A senior in HS would already be verbally committed or would already be signed. Redshirts are an option if there were concerns over an interim coach by these kids, or, if they are played immediately you still have Cowher as your head coach soph, junior, and senior years.

  17. packpigskinfan23 11/29/2006 at 11:18 AM #

    the ONLY people that dont win from this situation is the seniors next year… it would really suck for them… i am sure that Cowher could come around and make it worth it for them just by being there and supporting them.

  18. for2n8son 11/29/2006 at 11:25 AM #

    This is a very workable solution if everyone involved is happy with the deal and we get it in writing. Are you guys are running up a trail baloon for the admin. folks?

  19. GAWolf 11/29/2006 at 11:27 AM #

    Not sure where to post this but I just read on Everyday Should be Saturday a reference to “dumb message board dorks following Bear Jr’s plane around” in reference to the Bama search.

    The Pack Pride kids created a monster…

  20. for2n8son 11/29/2006 at 11:30 AM #

    ^ I don’t get the part about this being unfair to the seniors. A winning program on the way up is in the best interest of the seniors. Their play on the field will determine their destiny and the better your teammates are playing the more the opportunity for you to show your stuff. Continuity in the head coach won’t mean anything to those guys, they will be gone the next year.

  21. tooyoungtoremember 11/29/2006 at 11:31 AM #

    Whoever is the next football coach at NCSU, I’m just glad what’s happening at Alabama right now isn’t happening to us. ESPN’s Sportscenter was brutal to them.

  22. onewolf07 11/29/2006 at 11:33 AM #

    It’s not going affect the Seniors in the sense that regardless of what happens they will have a new coach next year. They will have to make the best with whoever is chosen.

  23. one00_proof 11/29/2006 at 11:35 AM #

    Nice idea, but honestly, I think we have a better chance of landing Cowher this year than that playing out. It’s a very rosy scenario, but too many pieces have to fall in place for us and the stars have to align just perfectly. I’ll admit though, you’re right about the stars aligning but being one year off from optimal position. That said however, anything is possible and it will be hard for State to turn down an interim coach scenario if Cowher does plan to come in 2008. Hopefully by the end of the week, Cowher will either answer our prayers or quell them. at least for now.

  24. Dr. BadgerPack 11/29/2006 at 11:38 AM #

    The seniors probably win regardless– they’ll get to have fun and have a better chance at winning. Given the inadequacies demonstrated by the last coaching staff (last few years) expect something offensive minded (if on an interim basis) which increases the “fun factor” for the seniors. In any instance, it should be exponentially better than playing in an ultimatum year under Amato where media scrutiny would blow the top off this year.

    Talking to my brother about this, we figure Cowher by himself would be a 3-4 plan if he does the offense according to his liking; that is pounding the snot out of the ball on the ground. State doesn’t have the horses up front now, bout doubtlessly could recruit them.

    The best part about the interim coach plan is that it is the “best of both worlds” option: you get instant coaching credibility/name recognition and an offensive scheme that can put points on the board now without having to wait to fills holes needed to execute a run-oriented offense.

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