Monday, June 25, 2007

HASKMARKS: Cowher to Dallas?

by Matt Mosley
June 25, 2007 7:15 AM

One of the first things you should do when a successful NFL head coach says he's retiring to spend more time with his family other than not believe him is to wildly speculate on his next destination.

And with the NFL closing shop until training camp, it's high time we figure out where Bill Cowher will be coaching in 2008.

At least one Pittsburgh-based columnist thinks Cowher could end up in Dallas, where owner Jerry Jones might have enough socked away to pay him $8 million per year.

The reason this won't happen is because Jones spent the past four seasons taking a backseat to Bill Parcells and he's thrilled to be back in charge. He made a safe -- if not inspiring - hire with Wade Phillips and views offensive coordinator Jason Garrett as the head coach-in-waiting.

The Cowboys have based their faith in Garrett on his long career as a backup quarterback and legendary SAT score.

Cowher doesn't know what a meddling owner looks like after 15 seasons in Pittsburgh, and would demand too much power. Barring a complete collapse this season, Jones will stick with the Phillips-Garrett ticket.

And even though Cowher has ties to the Browns' organization, I don't think he wants to take part in what will still be a rebuilding process. If I had to lay down a bet this morning, he ends up with the Giants.

I've placed a call to one of Cowher's longtime colleagues, so hopefully I'll have something more for you this afternoon.