Coach Chin rejects Browns

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/12/cowher_tells_browns_hes_not_in.html

This gets the Browns closer to my prediction of Pioli/McDaniels as a GM/head coach combo.

 

This makes me wonder if he really doesn't want to return at all, though perhaps the Kansas City job is more appealing. In both cases, the GM is gone. I doubt he takes a job with an established GM. He's going to want a big say in personnel decisions, if not total control.

 

No, Cowher will be back. He said awhile ago on Mike and the Mad Dog (or maybe just Francesa on the FAN or whatever it's called now) that he had no interest in the Cleveland job. IIRC, it was because of the Pittsburgh/Cleveland thing more than anything else.

 

I'd be happy with Cowher or Pioli in KC. Browns can have the other

 

My question is why would Pioli leave New England? He works for the best owner in the league and the best coach in the league. His job security is near absolute because his coach trusts him. And when Belichick finally decides to retire, Pioli will get to run the franchise. I suppose he could get an amazing financial deal somewhere else, but I honestly can't imagine a better situation than the one he has in New England.

 

I get the sense that Pioli and Daniels are a package deal. That's certainly not a bad thing.

If Cowher stays out of coaching another year, it's going to make me think he has one job that he specifically wants that he thinks may come open next year.

I wonder if the Jets will throw a ton of cash to try to get into the Cowher sweepstakes.

 

He doesn't final say on moves, at least not officially. He almost might want to prove he's as good as people think he is, rather than just give all the credit to Belichick.

That, and the Pats aren't exactly known for paying top dollar. I'm guessing he could get $5 mil a year to prove himself in Cleveland.

 

There was no way he ever was going to mess with his Pittsburgh legacy by taking the Browns job. It was obvious to anyone who had a clue.

 

Agreed. He's still well-liked enough in that area that he'll have earning potential in Pittsburgh for the rest of his life. He's not exactly Ditka in Chicago, but he won them a Super Bowl and that's not going to be forgotten anytime soon.

 

Smart man.

Then again, can you think of any coach whose next job was with his former team's (traditionally) most-hated rival? Cleveland just seemed like an odd move for Cowher to take.

 

Parcells going from New England to the Jets comes to mind. The hate probably wasn't as bad as Steelers/Browns, tho.