What is Bill Cowher's Net Worth and Salary?
Bill Cowher is a former professional football linebacker and head coach, currently serving as a sports analyst for CBS. Cowher's net worth is estimated to be $18 million. He is most famously known for his tenure as the head coach of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers from 1992 to 2006. During his 15-season run, Cowher led the Steelers to eight division titles, two AFC Championships, and a Super Bowl victory.
Early Life and Education
Bill Cowher was born on May 8, 1957, in Crafton, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He attended Carlynton High School, excelling in football, track, and basketball. Cowher went on to North Carolina State University, where he was the starting linebacker, team captain, and named team MVP in his senior year. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.
NFL Playing Career
After graduating, Cowher began his professional football career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1979. The following year, he signed with the Cleveland Browns, contributing to their first division title in nine years. Cowher returned to the Eagles in 1982, playing until 1984. His tenure included a notable incident where he tackled future rival head coach Jeff Fisher, leading to Fisher's leg injury.
Assistant Coaching
Cowher transitioned to coaching in 1985, starting as the special teams coach for the Cleveland Browns under Marty Schottenheimer. Rising through the ranks, he became the secondary coach by 1987. In 1989, he followed Schottenheimer to the Kansas City Chiefs, serving as their defensive coordinator. Though he was a finalist for the Cincinnati Bengals head coach position, he was ultimately passed over for Dave Shula.
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach
Cowher succeeded Chuck Noll as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach on January 21, 1992. The team saw immediate improvement, moving from a 7-9 record to an 11-5 record and reaching the AFC Championship Game. Cowher's leadership resulted in six consecutive playoff appearances and a Super Bowl appearance in 1995, making him the youngest coach at the time to achieve this. In 2006, he led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory against the Seattle Seahawks. Cowher resigned in January 2007, leaving behind a legacy of 161 wins, eight division titles, and a Hall of Fame induction in 2020.
Mike McGregor / Getty Images
Post-Coaching Career
Following his resignation, Cowher joined CBS's "The NFL Today" as a studio analyst. He shared the stage with Shannon Sharpe, Boomer Esiason, and Dan Marino. Additionally, Cowher participated in the ABC reality series "Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race" in 2007. In 2010, he was the keynote speaker at the Leadership Conference of the National Agents Alliance. He even made a cameo in Christopher Nolan’s "The Dark Knight Rises" in 2012.
Other Media Appearances
Cowher has been featured on the cover of EA Sports’ "NFL Head Coach" video game and has appeared in Time Warner Cable commercials. In 2021, he co-authored a book titled "Heart and Steel."
Personal Life
Bill Cowher was married to professional basketball player Kaye, with whom he had three daughters: Meagan, Lauren, and Lindsay, all of whom play basketball. The family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2007. Sadly, Kaye passed away from skin cancer in 2010. Cowher married Veronica Stigeler in 2014 and later relocated to New York full-time in 2018.
