The Jaw has locked up. Gone is the fire from his eyes, replaced by a look of weariness and exhaustion. His voice no longer carries a tone of passion and love, but acceptance and defeat. He stands, not tall and proud as before, but with shoulders slumped, arms crossed, and waiting for the next mistake to add another pebble to the scale of whether or not he should retire. Bill Cowher looks like a man ready to join his family in North Carolina to live out his days.

The Steelers are 3-6 after a turnover free game against the surprising New Orleans Saints, but even one, two, eight wins are not enough to keep Cowher in the Steel City. Following their Super Bowl victory a mere nine months ago, the Steelers and Cowher look as if they forget how to play the game. Given the many injuries to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s head over the past 10 months, forgetfulness can almost be a viable excuse for him and his 14 interceptions.

However, Cowher knows how to play the game, yet his Steelers, victims of countless turnovers and costly penalties, are not learning from their leader’s countless drills, and endless practices. Even the soft-spoken Willie Parker has questioned the heart and desire of this team. And with all of the questions surrounding his personnel decisions with playing Roethlisberger after injuries, and using unnecessary timeouts during games, he has thrown in his Terrible Towel, given up, and will leave the team at season’s end.

By given up, I do not mean he will not try to win out and pray for a chance to make the playoffs, but that he has given up on coaching. Cowher has received his Super Bowl ring, he has achieved immortality amongst Pittsburgh sports heroes, and he will be able to leave on his own terms. Not too many coaches, let alone people, can say that they can walk away from what they have done most of their lives on their own terms. There isn’t much more that someone can ask of him. He has coached the Steelers since 1992, making him the longest-tenured coach in the league. He has given the city of Pittsburgh “one for the thumb.” It is now, however, his time to go.

Steelers fans the world over, do not be upset with him. He has given you what you wanted, now it is time he does something for himself and his family, and that’s be a husband and father. Ladies and Gentlemen, please give Coach Cowher a round of applause as he gracefully walks out of the door.