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. beowolf 11/29/2006 at 11:38 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.

    That’s how I see it, too.

  2. Dan 11/29/2006 at 11:40 AM #

    “I don’t think recruiting is sacrificed at all. The REST of the staff will already be in place.”

    Cowher wouldnt be under contract at NC State and therefore would be forbidden to have any contact with NC State recruits. There is no way they could recruit. Opposing coaches would have a field day with that. Parents want to meet the man that will be coaching their kid. I’m not even sure how Cowher could even begin to assemble a staff if he isnt officially the coach. The idea is absurd when you start to think of the actual running of the program.

  3. highonlowe 11/29/2006 at 11:45 AM #

    Ok, I’m trying to figure out if SFN knows information which they aren’t telling us (for honest reasons of course).
    Tuesday’s search update had the “search” in quotes and several other between-the-line wording arrangements, inferring the coaching situation wasn’t a true search for candidates. Now, Wednesday’s search update is a hypothetical senario thrown out for fun (which I initially imply as smokescreen).
    Am I reading into this too much? Am I too confident in SFN’s insider connections?

  4. for2n8son 11/29/2006 at 11:45 AM #

    Why could Cower not be in a contract to begin coaching in 2008. I’m no lawyer, but does a contract have to take immediate effect to be binding?

  5. Girlfriend in a Coma 11/29/2006 at 11:50 AM #

    I see Cowher a lot like Calipari to be honest. All we heard for years is how much Calipari wanted the job, loved the job, would jump at the job, blah, blah, blah. So we offered and it turns out he was full of shit. Same with Cowher. Says he wants to coach here eventually. The “timing” wasn’t right in 2000, but he wanted to be considered “next time.” Well here it is “next time,” and the timing could not be better seeing as how he was quitting the NFL gig after this season anyway. He “wants a year off”? Give me a break. If he really wants to coach here, this is his chance, and the stars are as aligned as they ever will be. We will find out soon I guess.

  6. tooyoungtoremember 11/29/2006 at 12:02 PM #

    “Cowher wouldnt be under contract at NC State and therefore would be forbidden to have any contact with NC State recruits. ”

    Is this true or is it a rule you’re inventing to support your case? If it’s true, how did Lowe call on an NBA player to talk to JJ Hickson and convince him to play basketball for us?

  7. for2n8son 11/29/2006 at 12:10 PM #

    ^Hey! Let’s not spit to windward, here. We should all hope for the best till things develop.

  8. Woof Wolf 11/29/2006 at 12:11 PM #

    I like the idea if it’s necessary. But I feel very strongly that if Cowher really wants to be here. he will be here next year.

    Don’t too concerned about any thing you read in the Pittsburgh press. The writers up there can’t be a lot smarter than the ones who live in Raleigh or Charlotte.

  9. DRW 11/29/2006 at 12:23 PM #

    What about Sheridan as interim coach?

  10. highonlowe 11/29/2006 at 12:27 PM #

    No takers? Ok then.
    My theory: Paul Johnson is hired as HC this year. Bill Cowher will come in as AD in 08 or 09.

  11. waxhaw 11/29/2006 at 12:28 PM #

    I don’t like the interim coach idea but IF we had to go that route, the interim would have to be a member of Cowher’s staff after the interim period.

    There is no way we would want someone in leadership that everyone knew was moving on in a year. We might as well not field a team for one year.

  12. choppack1 11/29/2006 at 12:28 PM #

    Girlfriend in a Coma – Regarding Calipari – I think he got spooked. He’ll never admit it, but when he found out we were serious about having kids go to class and stay out of trouble – I think he ran away scared. My impression is that he thought he could bring in the kind of kids he was bringing to Memphis to compete w/ the Duke’s and Carolina’s. However, when that wasn’t the case – I think he said, “I’ll pass.”

  13. RAWFS 11/29/2006 at 12:29 PM #

    The general thing in the NFL is to let a coach go after he’s declared his intent to do so, even when he has one more year on his contract.

    The Steelers cannot afford to have an interim coach in their own right.

    “Cowher wouldnt be under contract at NC State and therefore would be forbidden to have any contact with NC State recruits. “

    Is this true or is it a rule you’re inventing to support your case?

    Cowher is a booster as a former player at NC State, no matter how you look at it.

    Go read the compliance stuff at gopack.com for the answer to your question.

  14. jbwbubba 11/29/2006 at 12:46 PM #

    Things really must be quiet, during the BB search we had names and stories burning up the net by Wednesday. Heck things are so quiet WRAL sports didn’t even talk about the search last night. I for one want to start tracking planes. That was more fun than the last few Saturdays. The close thing to news is the OC at Tennessee saying he would be interested.

    I think the Steelers let Cowher go, if he says he wants out. I don’t think they want a ticked off lame-duck as a coach. It wouldn’t be like coaching the skins or browns, but going home to coach college. Why its almost a Christmas Miracle, at least one of those cheesy hallmark channel movies.

  15. tooyoungtoremember 11/29/2006 at 12:47 PM #

    Thanks for referring me to the right place. It makes sense now.

  16. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 11/29/2006 at 12:52 PM #

    If it is a known that Cowher is one year away why would you fire Amato this year and hire a temp coach? Wouldn’t you just leave Amato in place? Cowher comes this year or he doesn’t come. I hope the next coach State hires stays until he dies on the sideline.

  17. PTOWOLF 11/29/2006 at 12:54 PM #

    “Why could Cower not be in a contract to begin coaching in 2008. I’m no lawyer, but does a contract have to take immediate effect to be binding?”

    A contract for future services is certainly allowed from a legal stand point. However, it may be expressly forbidden by the NCAA, the state of NC, the UNC system etc. Additionally I would imagine Cowher’s current contract prevents him from signing a future services contract.

  18. Dan 11/29/2006 at 1:01 PM #

    “If it’s true, how did Lowe call on an NBA player to talk to JJ Hickson and convince him to play basketball for us?”

    Lowe did not do that. He is not allowed to do that. Any report of him doing that is false. And that is the official answer to that question. Anyone who spreading that story is doing harm.

    Now Garnett can call him on his own all he wants. But he cant recruit for Sid.

    Bill Cowher is forbidden to be involved in recruiting. Any violation of that and we are in deep trouble with the NCAA. This whole idea is completely impossible when it comes down to logistics.

    Its a nice idea. Its gets people talking. But in the end all it does is show everybody how impossible it is.

  19. 98st8 11/29/2006 at 1:01 PM #

    jbwbubba… I agree, a Christmas miracle. I just got a tear in my eye.

  20. Girlfriend in a Coma 11/29/2006 at 1:09 PM #

    Doesn’t Jordan call UNC recruits? It has always been reported that he does. Is he not an alum/booster? How is that different?

  21. skywalkerdt 11/29/2006 at 1:12 PM #

    And you think UNC’s program is clean? not even UNC students will give you that load of malarkey

  22. RAWFS 11/29/2006 at 1:36 PM #

    ^ They have better brooms and thicker rugs under which the dirt goes.

  23. PTOWOLF 11/29/2006 at 1:41 PM #

    How does Cowher’s relationship with Chuck play into this? My impression is they are confidants. If CTC feels he was unfairly removed, I would expect Cowher to have significant reservations about the position.

  24. newt 11/29/2006 at 1:46 PM #

    I think this plan would clearly show that one man is bigger than the program. Why would we go through such acrobatics to hire a man who has never led a college program?

    What are the points that would make Cowher worth all this maneuvering?

    1 – Won a Superbowl – so did Walsh.
    2 – Name recognition – you’re only as good as what you’ve done lately.
    3 – Alumni who loves NC State – same could be said for Amato and Bunting.
    4 – Looks like a Rescue Hero, Billy Blazes – okay, you got me.

  25. NCSUgator 11/29/2006 at 1:46 PM #

    After reading the hypothetical entry this morning, I began to wonder whether SFN could be helping out the search by floating ideas to the masses and looking for how we respond to the idea. The idea seems pretty far fetched to me, but not impossible. Hypothetically, if the administration has decided to listen to the fans more and don’t want to disappoint, this could be an avenue to gauge whether they’re moving in an “acceptable” direction. Again, purely hypothetical.

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