Cowher signs for another 2 years with the STEELERS

 Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher signed a two-year contract extension Monday -- the second time since 2001 he has agreed to a new deal after his team missed the playoffs the preceding season.
The extension, which carries through the 2007 season, is expected to keep Cowher's salary competitive with those of the game's highest paid head coaches.Cowher agreed to his current contract, which runs through the 2005 season, after the Steelers rebounded from consecutive losing seasons by going 9-7 in 2000 but still missed the playoffs.The 47-year-old Cowher has a 115-76-1 record in 12 seasons, with only three losing seasons. His seven division titles are the fifth most in NFL coaching history, and the Steelers have reached the playoffs 12 times under Cowher despite missing them four of the last six seasons.Cowher has traditionally signed extensions with two years remaining on his contract, and did so again this year. The Steelers begin training camp Friday, and both sides sought to get a deal done before then to avoid distractions. In the past, the team usually has not negotiated contracts once a season begins."We are excited about extending Bill's contract to continue the success he has brought to our team over the past 12 years," Steelers president Art Rooney II said.Cowher has the most seniority of any active NFL coach, and only eight coaches have coached one team longer than Cowher has -- including Chuck Noll, his predecessor, who led the Steelers from 1969-1991. Cowher's 122 career victories, counting postseason wins, are second in team history to Noll's 209.While the Steelers change coaches less frequently than any other team in major pro sports -- they have had only two coaches in 35 years -- Cowher goes into this season following yet another realignment of his coaching staff.The Steelers fired defensive coordinator Tim Lewis after last season and brought back Dick LeBeau, who previously held the job in the mid 1990s. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey also left to become the Bills' coach and was replaced by Ken Whisenhunt, formerly an offensive assistant. Offensive line coach Russ Grimm also added the title of assistant head coach.

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