Cowher targeted Fulmer for staff in 1992

He had just retired as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers and was cleaning 15 years of memories from his office.

That's when he ran across a long forgotten list he had made in 1992, his first year as coach of the storied NFL organization.

For the first time Friday morning, Cowher let Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer in on a secret recollection triggered when he found that sheet of paper.

"I've been down here on many a pro day, but it's so crazy during that time I never really had a chance to speak with Phillip other than saying hi," Cowher said as featured speaker at the annual Tennessee Football Coaches Clinic. "I told him this morning I just had to share this with him."

It was a story of opportunity lost and opportunity gained.

"As I was starting to put together my staff when I got the job, the name I had written in as offensive line coach was Phillip Fulmer," Cowher said. "I didn't know Phillip, but I had heard about him and heard nothing but great things."

It's crazy how fate steps in and changes life's course sometimes.

"Almost within a day of my getting the job, he was named the interim head coach at Tennessee," Cowher said of Fulmer. "I just had to say so much for that guy.

"I scratched him off, but I did have him on my initial list."

The rest is history.

Cowher went on to compile a 161-99-1 career record in 15 seasons with the Steelers, including two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl victory two seasons ago.

His teams won eight division titles and advanced to the conference championship game six times.

But Fulmer never joined his staff.

Fulmer was busy creating his legacy at Tennessee, putting up similar numbers and similar success in the college ranks.

Going into his 15th season with the Vols, Fulmer has compiled a 137-41 career record, won five SEC East titles, two SEC championships and a national title in 1998.

For Fulmer, the beat goes on as he and his staff prepare for the late stages of spring practice with a scrimmage today at Neyland Stadium.

For Cowher, it was time for a change.

He spoke to a packed crowd of Tennessee high school coaches with the same kind of passion he became famous for on the sidelines of Steelers' games.

"I wanted to go up to him and say your left guard just jumped offsides three plays in a row, let me see the scowl," UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe joked.

But Cowher, 49, isn't scowling much these days.

He retired to spend more time with his family in a new house built in Raleigh, N.C.

"I love the game, love coaching and I love competing, but there does come a time when family becomes a very important part," he said. "I've got a sophomore (Lindsay) in high school.

"I just need to be a part of her life again. I've got two older girls, both at Princeton, and they both play basketball."

Cowher wants to enjoy that side of life while he can. He'll be joining CBS as an analyst during the upcoming football season, but for now he's just being a husband and a father.

Even he doesn't know what kind of emotions he'll feel when training camps open and another NFL season gets underway this fall.

"I really don't know if I'll miss it in August, or miss it September through January," he said. "I can't answer that question, but I don't think I will.

"It was a great part of my life, but I'm kind of ready for something new.

As far as longtime goals, Cowher left the door wide open for a return to the coaching ranks.

Just not in the immediate future.

"This time next year I can tell you I will not be taking any jobs," he said. "I know there will be some offers out there, but I'm not going to do it because there's more to life than just coaching.

"My family is very, very important to me and I'm not going to walk out of my daughter's life next year after coming back into it."

In two years, or when his youngest daughter graduates from high school, who knows?

"When she's gone and it's just my wife and I, if she kicks me out of the house and says go ahead and do this -- maybe," Cowher said. "I don't know. I don't have a set plan and it's kind of refreshing because we're so regimented as coaches and have everything planned out for the next year."