The Bill Cowher Sweepstakes: Three Potential Landing Spots for The Chin

Ever since he retired a year after winning a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers, football fans have wondered when the coach-turned-analyst would make his triumphant return to the field.

Although Bill Cowher's final season with Pittsburgh was spent in a Super Bowl slump—with the team finishing 8-8—he still managed to walk away from the NFL on a high note, and with a sought-after reputation.

Winning his division eight times and building a reputation for an organization is the kind of stability every fan and NFL owner wants.

Cowher is a rare breed of coach. He doesn't only lead his team to winning seasons—he builds an identity for the entire organization.

And as the 2008 season approaches the end, plenty of teams are beginning to feel pangs of desperation for a true identity. Teams are hoping they can lure Cowher away from the comfort of the television studio.

But not every team with money to burn—and a coach to fire—can be considered a legitimate landing spot for Cowher.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Looks like Romeo Crennel is involved in another tragedy. Unfortunately, it's not of the noble Shakespearean variety this time around.

Crennel is likely on his way out of Cleveland, and many believe his replacement should be Bill Cowher.

With history as the backdrop, the move makes sense for Cowher. He spent time in Cleveland as a player, and it would be an opportunity to bring his career full circle after getting his feet wet for the first time as a coach with the Browns.

It's poetic.

Cleveland already has some of the tools in place to make life easier for Cowher. The Browns are already fitted with a potential franchise QB in Brady Quinn, a power runner in Jamal Lewis, and a talented 3-4 defense that needs molding and discipline.

Cowher could be the man to right the ship.

His familiarity with the organization, the fans, and the conference all feel like the perfect fit for Cowher.

He'd be returning to the game to coach a team so desperate for any glimmer of hope that he'd be given a real opportunity to bring his ways to the organization.

What would the expectations for Cowher be from a major market team with impatient fans and a high demand for immediate results?

It took Cowher 14 seasons to bring Super Bowl glory to the Pittsburgh Steelers after multiple years of consistency.

Could that kind of long-term plan pan out somewhere like New York?

But then again...

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