heres something i thought some of you guys might want to read.
Both Pittsburgh and Seattle can claim veteran coaches with impressive resumes, but only the Seahawks’ Mike Holmgren owns a Super Bowl ring. Holmgren can also become the first head coach in league history to win a Super Bowl title with two different teams. Notable coaches Don Shula (Baltimore, Miami), Bill Parcells (NY Giants, New England), Dan Reeves (Denver, Atlanta) and Dick Vermeil (Philadelphia, St. Louis) failed in their attempt to pull off this feat.
Each coach has been on this national stage before, and each has experienced a defeat in the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh head coach Bill Cowher was on the losing end to Dallas in Super Bowl XXX as a 14 1/2-point underdog, 27-17. The Steelers came out tight in that contest, and trailed the entire game.
However, a gutsy call by Cowher with an onside kick in the second half sparked the team to within striking distance. Pittsburgh’s fate was sealed after quarterback Neil O’Donnell tossed his second interception of the contest.
The very next season, Holmgren returned Green Bay to greatness when the Packers defeated New England in Super Bowl XXXI, 35-21. The Packers were gunning for their second consecutive title the next year only to be upset by Denver, 31-24. In my opinion, Holmgren didn’t have his team ready to take on the Broncos in that setback. Green Bay was a veteran team, but fell short on the grandest stage that day.
Holmgren and Cowher both became head coaches during the same season, and both have impressive resumes. Holmgren was head coach of Green Bay (1992-98) before moving on to Seattle (1999-current). He went 75-37 (.670) during the regular season with the Packers, and 9-5 (.643) during the postseason. Holmgren joins former Oakland coach John Madden (1973-77) as the only coaches to win at least one playoff game in five straight postseasons.
Holmgren continued his winning ways when he went to the Pacific Northwest, helping Seattle to its first NFC West crown in 2004 after claiming the AFC West title back in 1999. He also helped the Seahawks to their first postseason victory this year since 1984 when they advanced to the AFC Championship Game before falling to the Raiders.
Cowher is the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL at 14 seasons, currently ranking ninth in league history for longest tenure with one team. During his reign, the Steelers have won nine division titles, had 10 postseason berths, advanced to six AFC Championship games and have now made two Super Bowl appearances.
Now let's take a look at some key coordinators on both sides of the ball that will have an impact on Super Bowl XL. The strength on strength matchup that is shaping up for this contest is Seattle's offense against Pittsburgh's defense.
Seattle offensive coordinator Gil Haskell has been with Holmgren and the Seahawks since 2000, and the two form an dynamic offensive duo that helped them lead the league this year in scoring offense (28.3 points per contest). Under this guidance, Seattle has the reigning league MVP in running back Shaun Alexander, while quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, fullback Mack Strong, tackle Walter Jones and guard Steve Hutchinson will all be starting in next week's Pro Bowl.
Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has 33 years of NFL coaching experience, and is enjoying his second stint with the Steelers after a brief time as Cincinnati's head coach and as an assistant head coach with Buffalo. LeBeau is the architect of the famed zone blitz, and his 3-4 scheme has given opponents fits throughout the years.
Good coaches take good teams to this level, and there's a reason why coaches such as Jerry Glanville, Rich Kotite, Jim Mora and numerous others have never advanced to pro football's biggest game. Both Holmgren and Cowher are winners, but there is more pressure on Cowher to win this contest.
Nobody ever talks about how great Marv Levy or Bud Grant were considering they went a combined 0-8 in Super Bowls. Holmgren already has his legacy cemented and has won on this stage, that's why I give the coaching advantage to the Seahawks
Each coach has been on this national stage before, and each has experienced a defeat in the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh head coach Bill Cowher was on the losing end to Dallas in Super Bowl XXX as a 14 1/2-point underdog, 27-17. The Steelers came out tight in that contest, and trailed the entire game.
However, a gutsy call by Cowher with an onside kick in the second half sparked the team to within striking distance. Pittsburgh’s fate was sealed after quarterback Neil O’Donnell tossed his second interception of the contest.
The very next season, Holmgren returned Green Bay to greatness when the Packers defeated New England in Super Bowl XXXI, 35-21. The Packers were gunning for their second consecutive title the next year only to be upset by Denver, 31-24. In my opinion, Holmgren didn’t have his team ready to take on the Broncos in that setback. Green Bay was a veteran team, but fell short on the grandest stage that day.
Holmgren and Cowher both became head coaches during the same season, and both have impressive resumes. Holmgren was head coach of Green Bay (1992-98) before moving on to Seattle (1999-current). He went 75-37 (.670) during the regular season with the Packers, and 9-5 (.643) during the postseason. Holmgren joins former Oakland coach John Madden (1973-77) as the only coaches to win at least one playoff game in five straight postseasons.
Holmgren continued his winning ways when he went to the Pacific Northwest, helping Seattle to its first NFC West crown in 2004 after claiming the AFC West title back in 1999. He also helped the Seahawks to their first postseason victory this year since 1984 when they advanced to the AFC Championship Game before falling to the Raiders.
Cowher is the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL at 14 seasons, currently ranking ninth in league history for longest tenure with one team. During his reign, the Steelers have won nine division titles, had 10 postseason berths, advanced to six AFC Championship games and have now made two Super Bowl appearances.
Now let's take a look at some key coordinators on both sides of the ball that will have an impact on Super Bowl XL. The strength on strength matchup that is shaping up for this contest is Seattle's offense against Pittsburgh's defense.
Seattle offensive coordinator Gil Haskell has been with Holmgren and the Seahawks since 2000, and the two form an dynamic offensive duo that helped them lead the league this year in scoring offense (28.3 points per contest). Under this guidance, Seattle has the reigning league MVP in running back Shaun Alexander, while quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, fullback Mack Strong, tackle Walter Jones and guard Steve Hutchinson will all be starting in next week's Pro Bowl.
Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has 33 years of NFL coaching experience, and is enjoying his second stint with the Steelers after a brief time as Cincinnati's head coach and as an assistant head coach with Buffalo. LeBeau is the architect of the famed zone blitz, and his 3-4 scheme has given opponents fits throughout the years.
Good coaches take good teams to this level, and there's a reason why coaches such as Jerry Glanville, Rich Kotite, Jim Mora and numerous others have never advanced to pro football's biggest game. Both Holmgren and Cowher are winners, but there is more pressure on Cowher to win this contest.
Nobody ever talks about how great Marv Levy or Bud Grant were considering they went a combined 0-8 in Super Bowls. Holmgren already has his legacy cemented and has won on this stage, that's why I give the coaching advantage to the Seahawks