Bill Cowher

Bill Cowher spent the past few years in a CBS television studio, but more than a few teams hope the former Steelers coach decides to spent next year on an NFL sideline.
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Sure, some of the best-known coaches, including Andy Reid, Lovie Smith and Ken Whisenhunt, who lost their jobs Monday, will be in the mix. So might college coaches Chip Kelly of Oregon and Bill O'Brien of Penn State. 

As for coming back after a five-season hiatus from the coaching ranks as an analyst for CBS, Cowher added:"I don't know if I've ever been that ready, honestly . . . Let me tell you, if there's any doubt, then there's no doubt you're not ready to come back. You have to be all in to take that job

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has flirted with coaching candidates while employing a sitting coach. Last January, Ross was heavily criticized for courting Jim Harbaugh while Sparano was still leading the team. Ross decided to stick with Sparano. I believe the extreme secrecy and back-channel pursuit of Cowher, instead of reaching out to Cowher directly, is a result of the criticism Ross endured after his pursuit of Harbaugh.