The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1506671
42 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY ETHAN MCDOWELL N C State will recognize the storied career accomplishments of former player Bill Cowher this fall by inducting him into the program's Ring of Honor. The former record-breaking linebacker and Super Bowl-winning coach will be saluted before the Wolfpack's Sept. 29 matchup against Louisville. "Bill Cowher has left an indelible mark on the game of football and is certainly beloved by Wolfpack Na- tion," athletics director Boo Corrigan said in the press release following the announcement on Aug. 11. "It is an absolute privilege to recognize his re- markable contributions and celebrate his outstanding career." The only former NC State athlete to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cowher has returned to his alma mater multiple times for speaking engagements, most recently for a high school coaches clinic earlier this year. Head coach Dave Doeren recognized and complimented Cowher's contribu- tions to the program. "Throughout his career, Bill Cowher has epitomized what Wolfpack football is all about," Doeren said in the press release. "He is a true mentor, leader, and icon in the coaching profession, and we are so proud to be able to honor him in Carter-Finley Stadium alongside other NC State legends." Cowher grew up in western Penn- sylvania not far from the city where he would gain his greatest fame. He was a three-sport athlete at Carlynton High, excelling at football, basketball and track. From 1975-78, Cowher suited up at linebacker for the Wolfpack, playing for head coaches Lou Holtz and Bo Rein and linebackers coach Chuck Amato, who would later coach the Wolfpack himself. Cowher finished his career with 371 tackles, a total that ranks No. 7 in pro- gram history. He still holds the Pack's single-season record with 195 stops during the 1978 campaign. "What a tremendous honor it is to be inducted to the Ring of Honor in Carter-Finley Stadium," Cowher said. "It is a legendary list of past honorees. I came to NC State as a boy from Craf- ton, Pa., and left four years later a man. Thanks to the tutelage and guidance of so many — Lou Holtz, Bo Rein and Chuck Amato, to name a few. This is a very special recognition." Cowher signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 1979, but his pro career didn't start to take off until he joined the Cleveland Browns the following season. He went on to play three seasons in Cleveland and two more back in Philadelphia, see- ing most of his action on special teams. Reasoning that he had a brighter future as a coach than as a player, he took a job on Marty Schotten- heimer's staff in Cleveland in 1985 rather than spend another year playing for the Eagles. His intuition proved correct. After four seasons with the Browns, Cowher left to become defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs and spent three years in that position before the Pittsburgh Steelers came calling with an offer that would propel him to the top of the sport. Cowher took the Steelers job in 1992 and never looked back, holding the position for 15 years. During his tenure with the franchise, he compiled a 149- 90-1 record, won eight division titles and twice reached the Super Bowl. In February 2006, Pittsburgh defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL, giving Cowher a long-awaited league title. He retired after the 2006 season, moved back to Raleigh with his family and embarked on a career in broadcasting with CBS on "The NFL Today," for which he still serves as a studio analyst. His upcoming enshrinement in the Ring of Honor will give NC State fans another chance to show their apprecia- tion for his contributions to the game. The contest against Louisville will take place on a Friday evening at Carter- Finley Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be tele- vised on ESPN. ■ Before winning a Super Bowl in 2006 as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cowher was a standout linebacker for the Pack. He set a school record with 195 tackles in 1978 and had two 24-tackle games during his college career — against South Carolina in 1977 and Clemson in '78. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS Bill Cowher To Be Enshrined In NC State Ring Of Honor