Cowher may still go to the Jets..

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3799959

Source: Cowher, Jets still to talk
ESPN.com news services

Updated: December 30, 2008, 2:18 PM ET
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Jets And Bill Cowher Still Plan On SpeakingThe door to the New York Jets' opening might not be closed for Bill Cowher just yet after all.


A high-ranking Jets official told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the team is still planning to speak to Cowher about its vacant head coaching job. No time or place for the interview has been set, but the official says the Jets would be willing to do "whatever is necessary" to land Cowher if he is truly interested in taking the job.

Cowher plans to speak publicly for the first time about the Jets' opening and other coaching opportunities during CBS' wild-card pregame show on Sunday, a source told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand.

Initially, ESPN.com's John Clayton reported Cowher told the Jets he was not interested because he wanted his own personnel director. The Jets official's response indicates the team is willing to let Cowher replace current general manager Mike Tannenbaum with his own candidate.

A Jets source also said Tannenbaum says he's willing to adjust his position to accommodate Cowher.

Cowher has told friends the Jets job interested him for several reasons. First, Cowher would love to coach in the New York market. Second, two of his daughters are either going to school or working in the New York-New Jersey area.

If Cowher doesn't take an open NFL head coaching job this offseason, he does plan to coach in 2010, sources told Clayton. In 2009, though, he is willing to return only if every situation is right for him. He wanted to have a two-year break from coaching to be with family and recharge.


Last weekend, Cowher met with Browns owner Randy Lerner, who asked him what it would take financially for him to be the Browns' head coach. Having a close relationship with the Rooney family in Pittsburgh and still wanting more time with family, Cowher didn't give Lerner a price, and said no.


Cowher recently extended his contract with CBS for another season.

In addition to Cowher, the Jets are also lining up interviews with other candidates, including Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who the Giants have granted permission for the Jets to discuss their opening, sources told ESPN's Rachel Nichols.

Chris Mortensen is a senior NFL analyst for ESPN. Information from ESPN.com's John Clayton, 1050 ESPN's Andrew Marchand and ESPN's Rachel Nichols was used in this report.