The players, Steelers and rival coaches who have praised Bill Cowher in our interviews is endless – here are some select quotes and memories they have of Bill:
Brian Billick: “Bill was very gracious and respectful towards me. He didn’t try to demean me as a new coach. After we won the Super Bowl. he saw that rivalry grow and we all bought into it. But compared to other coaches, while I was known for saying some stupid shit at times about other guys, that never happened with Bill. I never went back and forth like that with him.”
Marvin Lewis: “I learned a great about coaching and how to deal with players at a professional level from Dick LeBeau, Dom Capers, and Bill Cowher.”
Dave Shula: “I remember at an owners meeting, Leslie and I challenged Bill and Kaye to a tennis match, Bill just got new shoes and he was bleeding – you could see his socks. But he wouldn’t quit…”
Ron Zook: “Working with Coach Cowher, and meeting with and getting to know the Rooneys – that was a great experience for me.”
Dave Hoffman: “I remember when Cowher finally had to let me go. Here was this great big, strong guy in front of me, his eyes watering up. It wasn’t easy for him. I was almost comforting him during the talk, He was a unique man. He had a good Christian heart.”
Chan Gailey: ” Cowher handled it extremely well – how he approached him and worked with Kordell. Kordell trusted him and knew he’d get his chance.”
Mike Miller: “I have nothing but great reverence for Coach Cowher and am grateful for the opportunity to work with him for five years. I learned so much and we still talk. I call him a friend and we touch base a couple of times a year. He changed the trajectory of my life when he stuck his neck out for me.”
Tim Lewis: “Bill Cowher was good with players. He was close with them. They’d run through walls for him. He was powerful as a leader and disciplined.. I learned from Bill Cowher that you do it one way. You don’t lessen or pull back based on development or audience. You coach and teach based on what you do normally. You do what you do.”
Jerry Sherk: “One good story about Bill. Well, sort of about Bill. I lived in the country in Medina – in Cleveland. I rented a room in the house I lived in with a teammate – Matt Miller. Well, one morning I got up and went to the living room and there I saw him with Bill’s girlfriend. My folks were visiting so I couldn’t say much – but I took a newspaper and rolled it up and hit him in the back of the head and told him I couldn’t believe he was horn-dogging it with Bill’s girlfriend! He said “No – that’s not his girlfriend Jerry! They’re identical twins!” And it was true. Bill and Mike both ended up marrying those two gals!”
Willie Parker: “Bill Cowher – I was scared of him. It’s like driving and seeing a police car in the rear view mirror. You had to be at your best. He could be the coolest person, but I knew I had to be at my best all the time because of him. He would single out any player and you didn’t want to be that guy he is yelling at in those Monday or Tuesday meetings.”
Barry Foster: “When Bill came in, the first thing he did was unify the team. From the outside, you don’t see or understand it. We were a divided team.”
Reggie Barnes: “Bill Cowher was former player, and you can tell he was a player’s coach. You knew where you stood with him, and I appreciated that. He had a lot of energy and he kept everyone loose. That made you better. “
Jeff Reed: “Cowher was very easy to play for despite his sideline antics and “chin” at times…he is a great man…I’m blessed that he and Mr. Rooney gave me an initial opportunity…that’s where it all started.”
Jerome Bettis: “It was due to Cowher’s understanding of my physical limitations. During the week I’d practice but wouldn’t do certain things. I’d do nine on sevens but would slow down and maybe not practice on Thursday or Wednesday. Cowher did a great job managing my physical health.”
Rogert Duffy: “Coach Cowher stressed the importance of coming to work with the right attitude and believing in the program which has worked even though we are having a down year.”
Tyrone Carter: “The mindset of Cowher was huge. In 2004 when I got there he asked me what I thought my opponents were going to do – what routes they were going to run and what to expect. No one ever asked me that before.”
LeVon Kirkland: “A lot of times when I talk to players, I remind them about Cowher’s words: “Never get too high with the highs and never get too low with the lows.”
Justin Kurpeikis: “Cowher, linebacker coach Archer, and the special teams coach Hayes – they didn’t care how you got there – just what you could do there.”
AJ Ofodile: “Coach Cowher set for the team based on seeing them up close in joint practices and pre-season games. I really liked the attitude of those teams.”
Randy Fuller: “Cowher challenged guys to refocus and remember why they were there.”
JT Wall: “Cowher was a great motivator and Hoak was business first. I see myself using both in my coaching now.”
Troy Edwards: “Coach Cowher was a great coach. When you first get in the NFL you think you know everything. As a coach you deal with all those different personalities all across the team – even to the practice squad. “
Trai Essex: “Cowher asked if I was ready to be a Steeler and I said “Hell yeah!” That was one of my top ten memories of all time.”
Barrett Brooks: “I remember when we played New England when they had that winning streak going. Right before half time Reed kicks a 46-yard field goal, but I clutched my fist and they called me for offsides. Reed missed the field goal afterwards. When I saw there were only a couple of seconds left before the half I ran to the locker room before Cowher saw me. But he saw me running and chased after me. Hampton, Hines, Porter were all in his way as he was running up the steps after me – he almost knocked those guys down chasing me. He was yelling at me when he caught up to me “You’re wrong”” he was yelling and cussing me out. Hines and Casey were laughing as he cussed me out. It didn’t seem funny then, but now… I still remember days later Casey and those guys laughing at me, telling me that Cowher almost knocked them down the steps chasing me!”
Max Starks: “Bill Cowher got on the phone and asked me two questions – “Did I like cold weather and did I like to run the ball?” I said “Yes!” He said, “Congratulations. You’re a Steeler!”
Nakia Codie: “Coach Cowher made sure defensive players and offensive players lockers were by each other and not separate.”
Duval Love “ I was the first person Cowher signed as a head coach. It was special knowing I was his first priority then.”
Terry Richardson: “Coach Cowher helped me too. He was a terrific coach and had good people skills.”
Richard Huntley: “On of my big things was to always be straight up with the kids. To not beat around the bush. Bill Cowher never did that either. He always told you straight up exactly the way it was.”
Leon Searcy: “I was comforted by what Cowher said. We were going to be a tough team, he said….In hindsight I can’t say I wish I stayed – I had a great time in Jacksonville, but I loved playing for Pittsburgh and Bill Cowher.”
Rodney Bailey: “Cowher let the craziness go – he embraced it. “
Kendall Gammon: “You have to give Coach Cowher credit. He weeded out the guys that didn’t fit and brought in real leaders, like Kevin Greene. We worked hard and efficiently. We didn’t work too long or too short. Coach Cowher was upfront with us that different players got treated differently.”
Earl Holmes: “Cowher had the hard-nosed attitude. Whether it was a good or bad play, he just wanted you to get the job done.”
Bobby Shaw: “Cowher was great at allowing some leeway for fun – to take a moment to allow guys to laugh then let players self-police themselves afterwards.“
Victor Jones: “Bill gave me the freedom to follow my instincts on the playing field and Dick had a soft spoken voice that teaches you from a former player’s experience and perspective”
Rian Wallace: “The things Cowher did and taught – not getting too high with the highs and too low with the lows. To take advantage of opportunities. I instill this with the kids and in my own daily life.”
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
