Bill Cowher: Don't Expect Former Steelers Head Coach to Return to NFL This Year

Every year, NFL head coaches get the boot, and every year since 2007, speculation has arisen about Bill Cowher filling an open vacancy.

2013 will be no different.

Organizations were especially quick to press the panic button this most recent Black Monday, as seven head coaches were given the pink slip. As a result, Cowher—and pretty much every other possibly available head coach down to the Pee-Wee level—has gotten major attention as a possible replacement. 

The Washington Post's Cindy Boren mentioned the former Steeler head coach as a target for the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Chicago Bears have also surfaced as a potential suitor (per the International Business Times).

But that's nothing more than meaningless talk.

CSNPhilly.com's Reuben Frank quickly shot down the Eagles rumor:

"

I'm told the Eagles have zero interest in Bill Cowher, who ESPN reported was "in play for the Birds' job."

— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) January 2, 2013"

Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune also made clear the Bears' likely stance on Cowher:

"

I believe Phil Emery is looking for an unassuming grinder, probably an up and comer, who will work with him in lockstep. A high profile coach who has had success like Gruden or Cowher is more likely to want to control various aspects of the team. I don’t see Gruden and Emery as a fit from a personality standpoint. Emery would probably be more apt to try to hire the next Cowher than the original Cowher.

"

Well, that was easy.

Cowher will undoubtedly draw interest as a replacement for several of the other five openings, but those rumors will be shot down just as fast. 

The man who led Pittsburgh to six AFC Championship Games, two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy is obviously a fantastic head man. He's a hard-nosed leader who has a knack for developing strong defenses and run-it-down-your-throat running games.

He would be a fantastic fit for multiple reeling franchises. 

But that's not the point. 

Cowher has constantly drawn head-coaching interest after leaving the gridiron for the last time over six years ago and teams will continue to try to persuade him back to the game he so truly loves.

But he'll never come. 

Cowher has a cushy job with CBS Sports, where he is an important part of the broadcast team. Most importantly, he is content with life. If he felt like he needed a return to the NFL, he would have made it already. 

If the "itch" hasn't hit Cowher yet, it simply never will. 

For the seven teams currently without a head coach, it's time to look in another direction. 

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