BlitzburghRockCity
08-11-2011, 08:18 AM
The Trib (Starkey:%20Cowher%20a%20Hall%20of%20Famer?%20-%20Pittsburgh%20Tribune-Review%20http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_751049.html#ixzz1UimON7sp) did an article on this and it kinda got me thinking. (here's an excerpt)
Bill Cowher, who along with Bill Parcells becomes eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, would never be enshrined in my Hall of Fame. Not unless he comes out of retirement and wins another Super Bowl or two.
Nothing personal, mind you. But my Hall of Fame is reserved for legends of the game.
The roster of coaches is patently obvious. That's the point. Only the obvious belong in any Hall of Fame.
My coaches include Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Paul Brown, Chuck Noll, Curly Lambeau, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Tom Landry, Weeb Ewbank and Joe Gibbs — anyone who would prompt an immediate and emphatic "Yes!" to the question: Was he an all-time great?
Cowher wasn't.
It's beyond me how any coach who didn't win multiple championships would even merit consideration, unless we're talking about a genius innovator. But that brings us back to the real Hall of Fame, where there is no rationale whatsoever for selecting coaches.
Cowher has an excellent shot at the real Hall of Fame.
In 15 seasons with the Steelers, Cowher produced a robust regular-season winning percentage of .623, a 12-9 playoff record, two AFC titles and a Super Bowl championship. In the wake of his retirement five years ago, I wrote that he should be a lock, given that men with weaker credentials — including ring-less wonders Bud Grant and Marv Levy — had already been enshrined.
I had forgotten that Cowher was eligible as of next year. We all figured he'd be the coach of the Browns by now, or maybe the Giants. I know a lot of the Giants fans are hoping Cowher takes over in 2012.
Either way is Cowher really a Hall of Fame caliber coach? If so, is he a 1st ballot candidate?
I wouldn't say he's a first ballot lock by any means. He's got a career record of 149-90-1 during his tenure in Pittsburgh. (that Falcons game still haunts fans today). I wouldn't be surprised if he does make it in at some point though, his playoff record of 12-9 is nothing to sneeze at but all those lost AFC Championship Games still sting the Steeler Nation.
Bill Cowher, who along with Bill Parcells becomes eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, would never be enshrined in my Hall of Fame. Not unless he comes out of retirement and wins another Super Bowl or two.
Nothing personal, mind you. But my Hall of Fame is reserved for legends of the game.
The roster of coaches is patently obvious. That's the point. Only the obvious belong in any Hall of Fame.
My coaches include Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Paul Brown, Chuck Noll, Curly Lambeau, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Tom Landry, Weeb Ewbank and Joe Gibbs — anyone who would prompt an immediate and emphatic "Yes!" to the question: Was he an all-time great?
Cowher wasn't.
It's beyond me how any coach who didn't win multiple championships would even merit consideration, unless we're talking about a genius innovator. But that brings us back to the real Hall of Fame, where there is no rationale whatsoever for selecting coaches.
Cowher has an excellent shot at the real Hall of Fame.
In 15 seasons with the Steelers, Cowher produced a robust regular-season winning percentage of .623, a 12-9 playoff record, two AFC titles and a Super Bowl championship. In the wake of his retirement five years ago, I wrote that he should be a lock, given that men with weaker credentials — including ring-less wonders Bud Grant and Marv Levy — had already been enshrined.
I had forgotten that Cowher was eligible as of next year. We all figured he'd be the coach of the Browns by now, or maybe the Giants. I know a lot of the Giants fans are hoping Cowher takes over in 2012.
Either way is Cowher really a Hall of Fame caliber coach? If so, is he a 1st ballot candidate?
I wouldn't say he's a first ballot lock by any means. He's got a career record of 149-90-1 during his tenure in Pittsburgh. (that Falcons game still haunts fans today). I wouldn't be surprised if he does make it in at some point though, his playoff record of 12-9 is nothing to sneeze at but all those lost AFC Championship Games still sting the Steeler Nation.