Bill Cowher’s coaching tree is neither as prosperous or successful as Bill Walsh’s, but give them credit for one thing: It is resilient.
Dom Capers was Cowher’s first assistant to break into the NFL’s head coaching ranks when he left after the 1994 season to coach for the Carolina Panthers. Capers started with a bang in Charlotte, bringing the expansion Panthers to the NFC Championship in just his second season. But alas a back to back bad seasons in 1997 and 1998 fallout with Kerry Collins cost Capers his job in.
- Capers, however got another shot with the Houston Texas when they joined the league in 2002 where Capers coached until 2005.
Chain Gailey was Jerry Jones surprise choice to lead the Dallas Cowboys after the Barry Switzer meltdown. Despite leading the Cowboys to two playoff seasons Jones unceremoniously gave Gailey the boot after the 1998 season.
- Gailey bounced around at a couple of jobs, and was back in the NFL as the Buffalo Bills head coach in 2010 where he’ll get at least one more shot after 4-12 and 6-10 seasons.
Jim Haslett coached the New Orleans Saints from the 2000 to 2005 season, and found himself as the interm head coach of the St. Louis Rams 2 games into the 2008 season.
Mike Mularkey left Pittsburgh after 2003 to become the Buffalo Bills head coach. Mularkey exceeded expectations in his first year but resigned after a disappointing second season.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars named Mularkey this week their head coach.
If nothing else, this proves that that coaching under Bill Cowher if nothing else seem to guarantee you two shots at a head coaching gig.
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