SUPER BOWL XL

Letting it fly

Afraid to show his emotions? Not Steelers coach Bill Cowher, who seeks his first title.

By RICK STROUD
Published February 4, 2006

DETROIT - The face of the Pittsburgh Steelers is as hard as the city it represents, with an iron chin jutting outward. Also, it isn't a mask for emotions.

When Bill Cowher disagrees with a call or doesn't like the outcome of a play, the spit unintentionally flies from his mouth and people get wet.

So far, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he has been able to avoid the Cowher shower.

"I make sure if I have a bad play or make a mistake to stay away from him," Roethlisberger said.

But Cowher's famous mug is what comes to mind when you think of the Steelers, a team he has coached since 1992. There is just one part of his image he would like to change:

Cowher has the longest tenure of any active coach without a Super Bowl title. Earlier this week, he was asked if a championship is needed to validate his career.

"I think it does in a lot of people's eyes, but I don't think so," Cowher said. "To me, it is a lot more about the journey than the final destination.

"I'm just very proud to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers for this long, and nothing would be more gratifying to be able to end this with this trophy. That's what they brought me there to do in 1992. And until that gets done, there will always be a void there."

Cowher, 48, has been close before. In January 1995, his 12-4 team lost the AFC title game 17-13 when a late fourth-down pass from the Chargers 3 was batted down. The Steelers made their only Super Bowl appearance under Cowher a season later but fell to the Cowboys 27-17.

He had other chances.

An 11-win team lost the conference title game 24-21 to Denver in January 1998. Four years later, the Steelers made it back but lost to the Patriots 24-17. It happened again last season after Roethlisberger, then a rookie, helped Pittsburgh go 15-1 before losing 41-27 to New England at home.

"I think the fact that they were as close as this group of players was last year and went through the disappointment of the home playoff loss against New England, I think, is very fresh in a lot of memories," Cowher said.

"The only game you ever really remember is the last game you play. I think we recognize the opportunity that we have and look forward to making sure we prepare and keep the priorities in line this week."

Cowher is fortunate the Steelers organization has a long memory.

In fact, Cowher and Chuck Noll are the only coaches hired by the Steelers since 1969. In 2004, coming off a 6-10 season, owner Dan Rooney rewarded Cowher with an extension through 2007, and that loyalty has paid off.

For Rooney, his patience is genetic. His father, Art Rooney Sr., hired Noll in 1969 and stuck with him despite only 12 wins in his first three seasons. He coached for 23 seasons and produced four Super Bowl trophies.

"Basically, if you think your people are doing a good job, the idea of keeping them is a real plus from many standpoints," Dan Rooney said. "We think Bill Cowher is an excellent coach, an excellent coach for us and the Steelers. We want to keep him.

"Just because we don't make the playoffs one year doesn't mean that we'll make a change. Everybody runs their organizations in a way that is best for them. It does go beyond what happens on the field."

Cowher grew up in Pittsburgh, which has served him well while coaching there. "I think that it's always been known as a sports town, a blue-collar town, and I think a lot of people in Pittsburgh who grow up there learn how to compete," Cowher said. "You learn how to understand sports and that nothing can be handed to you.

"And I think that's why you see a lot of good coaches that come out of there because there's a work ethic that exists and you learn how to compete at an early age; know the difference between winning and losing and you're very proud of that."

What Cowher is not too fond of are the images of him looking enraged on the sideline. In fact, he insists most of the time he is calm and confident.

"I smile a lot, too," Cowher said. "The cameras only show when you're mad. Sometimes you agree with the call. Sometimes you don't agree with the call. Sometimes you love a play. Sometimes you don't like a play. It's an emotional game, and I love it. It's three hours of fun."

And for the second time, Cowher is three hours away from, perhaps, finally winning the Super Bowl.

"I'd like nothing greater than to be able to hand Mr. Rooney the trophy," Cowher said. "There's nothing more of a driving force than that. I think, obviously, for our coaches and players ... to say that one year we were really special is the way to cap it off."

[Last modified February 4, 2006, 00:32:20]