Try as he might, Bill Cowher's resignation announcement still left fans asking 'why?'

Along with tens of thousands, I watched Bill Cowher resign as coach of the Steelers. He insisted money was not an factor. His claim of spending more time with his family was his motivation.

However, his two oldest daughters are playing basketball at Princeton and know Pittsburgh as home. His youngest daughter is also a basketball enthusiast. With two children at Princeton and his youngest a Pittsburgher, who is he resigning for?

During his 25-minute explanation he continually called Pittsburgh home.

Cowher even stated that his family was still living here. He left the podium never giving us the truth.

This city deserves a better reason than the garbage he gave us.

NICK DELUCIA, Carnegie

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A question of geography

Now that two of Bill Cowher's daughters are busy college students and athletes in New Jersey, he wants to move to North Carolina in order to be with his family.

Am I the only one who is confused?

JOSEPH CARDUCCI, Mt. Lebanon

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Goodbye to 'The Chin'

Unfortunately, the Bill Cowher era has come to an end. After 15 memorable seasons with the Steelers, he has decided that he wants to spend more time with his family. Oddly, I have never been more proud to be a part of Steeler Nation.

However, I am also saddened. Cowher was, in my mind, everything a true sports fan longs for in a head coach. For one, he won a lot of games. Secondly, there has been no coach in recent history more respected and admired by those who played for him. Furthermore, he epitomized Steelers football with his loyalty, grit and blue-collar determination. Cowher actually made the sideline interesting.

Most importantly, Cowher's teams showed a remarkable ability to police themselves. In a day where the sports page often resembles a police blotter, Cowher's players rarely found trouble.

If he does decide to take another spin [as a coach], teams will be lined up to request his services. I wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers, if the timing was right, were at the front of that line.

ROBERT BROWN, Affton, Mo.

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A heartfelt thank you

In the days preceding Jan. 6, my hope was that Bill Cowher would not leave the Steelers and the announcement he would make would be about a contract extension. Unfortunately for every Steelers fan, that didn't happen. The end of last year marked the retirement of The Bus. And now, only a year later, our coach is gone as well.

I wish him all the best and a sincere "thank you" for 15 great years. He said that "this Crafton boy lived a dream" in his resignation speech. Every Steeler fan lived it right along with him.

My hope is that Cowher and his family enjoy everything life has to offer -- except coaching another NFL team. The reality of that is something I hope the Steeler Nation never has to face.

LEO BRAIDO, Cambridge, Ohio

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Take the time to get it right

A number of articles have already been written suggesting that either Russ Grimm or Ken Whisenhunt should quickly become the Steelers next coach. Of course both the players and media would approve, because working relationships have been established with both.

However, continuity for 2007 should not be considered. The goal is not to contend for the Super Bowl in 2007; it is to contend every year. If an outside coach is chosen, the players will adjust. In fact, if the Steelers make the right choice, not one player on this fall's roster will be on the team when the next coach leaves.

The franchise has been successful since 1969 because it operates on sound business principles and bases decisions on what is best for the long term. As fans, we should hope that the team's philosophy never changes and embrace the new coach. No one predicted Hall of Fame careers when Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher were hired.

Let the selection process take as long as necessary to once again find the best person for the job. If that person happens to be Whisenhunt or Grimm, wonderful. If not, fans will still have a great team to root for as long as the Rooneys are in charge.

ELONA BRIDGE, Indiana, Pa.

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Stubborn = no playoffs

The No. 1 reason for the Steelers' decline in 2006 was stubbornness. Specifically, Ben Roethlisberger's stubbornness when it came to wearing a helmet when riding his motorcycle and Bill Cowher's stubbornness when it came to playing Charlie Batch when Big Ben was not 100 percent.

Batch, a quality backup with more NFL experience than Roethlisberger, played in the season opener and was the top-rated quarterback in the league after one game. The Steelers lost several close games that were theirs for the taking. If they had won any of those games, they would be in the playoffs defending their title rather than heading home and/or into retirement.

DAVID FOX, Penn Township

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Tribute of the Hart

I read that Southmoreland High School's stadium was recently named after Russ Grimm. I've had a question for years as to why the stadium in Turtle Creek (now part of Woodland Hills) was named the Wolvarena and not Leon Hart Stadium. I realize that the school district encompasses more than Turtle Creek now, but how many towns or areas could claim to have had a two-time All-American (1948-49), one of only two linemen to win the Heisman Trophy (1949) and an All-Pro with the Detroit Lions in the 1950s.

Wake up the echoes.

BOB NELIS, Ocean City, Md.

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An open letter to Mario Lemieux

Mario,
I have enjoyed watching you play hockey more than I could possibly express. But the joy those memories bring me pales in comparison to the joy I've gained in watching my three teenaged-sons grow up to become huge Penguins fans. I thank you for that.

We all owe you a huge apology. I am so sorry that Pennsylvania politicians found a way to deny the Penguins a free, new area here in Pittsburgh. It is embarrassing. You deserve better -- not only because of the way you have repeatedly saved hockey here but also because of how much your charitable efforts have benefitted all of us. As a cancer survivor, I would like to personally thank you.

You deserve to get the best deal you can for the Penguins and for you to get the money you've been owed for too many years. But, it will be very sad if the Penguins -- and all that you have meant to this city -- leave us. I (and my sons) certainly hope that you find a way to permit the Penguins to remain the Pittsburgh Penguins. If not, I hope your legacy will be centered around all that you've meant and done for this city, and not as the person who moved a team with almost 40 years of history.

LARRY SWEENEY, Penn Hills

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