[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by cardken

According to ESPN, Cowher has turned down Clevelands offer to come to the Browns. But Owner Lerner has been granted permission to talk with Pioli from the New England Patriots.Way to sit around Clark.

Maybe Pioli isn't Clark's top favorite?

Cowher doesn't want to coach this year apparently

COWHER OUT, PIOLI IN FOR CLEVELAND?


Browns owner Randy Lerner — who met with the media Monday on the condition that there be no cameras or tape-recording devices present — said that he met with former Steelers coach Bill Cowher on Saturday night in New York, and that Cowher said he’s not interested in coaching the team.

Specifically, Cowher said he’s not interested coaching any team in 2009. (The Jets might have enough money to get Cowher to reconsider that.)

Lerner also said that, with Cowher out of the mix, the Browns will focus on hiring a G.M. Lerner said he has already sought permission to interview Patriots V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli, and that Lerner is receiving permission to speak with an unnamed NFL executive.

Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Lerner “appeared interested” when hearing that the Jets had fired head coach Eric Mangini.

But, again, since Lerner won’t allow cameras or microphones to be present when he talks to the media, it’s impossible to objectively assess his reaction.

As to Cowher, we’re not surprised by his reluctance to coach the Browns. He would automatically become Public Enemy No. 1 in Pittsburgh, ruining his 15-year legacy in his hometown.

We continue to believe that Cowher was using the Browns’ interest in his services to keep his name at the top of the list, regardless of whether he pulls the trigger and returns to coaching in 2009, 2010, or 2011.