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He should have been ours in 2009.
If you'll recall, he was this close to signing a deal with us, but backed out in the end. Obviously, the looming change in ownership and the questions surrounding the future of the organization must have factored into his decision. It was him, though, who recommended Gailey. That was also the first year Doug Whaley was brought in as a "special assistant to the GM."
In the intervening years, Whaley has built the exact team that Cowher would coach in Pitt... leave out the quality of the players for a second, and look at where Whaley has funneled draft picks and FA signings: linebackers, o line, bruising running backs. The results haven't necessarily been there with each of those units, but they are the type of players Cowher would want AND there is depth (not necessarily quality) at those spots. Yes, QB is an issue, but consider: Cowher went to the Super Bowl with Neil ODonnel and (rookie) Ben Rothlisberger. His football philosophy is not predicated on airing it out and winning 45-35.
And here we sit today.. Pegula had lunch with Cowher as recently as last week. These two have been linked since Pegula took over:
Not that Graham has inside information on that relationship, but this isn't exactly ground breaking news.
It's a move that makes sense, and would add even more relevance to a team clearly on the rise. Brandon is still in the building... this is marketing 101. We will be headline news if we pulled that hire off, and a shoe in for several prime time games.
He is likely already on a plane to Buffalo. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is hired before the end of the week.
If you'll recall, he was this close to signing a deal with us, but backed out in the end. Obviously, the looming change in ownership and the questions surrounding the future of the organization must have factored into his decision. It was him, though, who recommended Gailey. That was also the first year Doug Whaley was brought in as a "special assistant to the GM."
In the intervening years, Whaley has built the exact team that Cowher would coach in Pitt... leave out the quality of the players for a second, and look at where Whaley has funneled draft picks and FA signings: linebackers, o line, bruising running backs. The results haven't necessarily been there with each of those units, but they are the type of players Cowher would want AND there is depth (not necessarily quality) at those spots. Yes, QB is an issue, but consider: Cowher went to the Super Bowl with Neil ODonnel and (rookie) Ben Rothlisberger. His football philosophy is not predicated on airing it out and winning 45-35.
And here we sit today.. Pegula had lunch with Cowher as recently as last week. These two have been linked since Pegula took over:
Not that Graham has inside information on that relationship, but this isn't exactly ground breaking news.
It's a move that makes sense, and would add even more relevance to a team clearly on the rise. Brandon is still in the building... this is marketing 101. We will be headline news if we pulled that hire off, and a shoe in for several prime time games.
He is likely already on a plane to Buffalo. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is hired before the end of the week.
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