Posted by Rich DeLeo
on 12/18/2003, 10:03 am
Board Administrator
Winning is nice when things are going well, but when things don't go so well, and you are facing a losing season, things can get a bit tough. That is what's happening with the Steelers this season. They are headed for a losing season, their 3rd in the last 6 years. But that fact doesn't change, in my mind, how coach Bill Cowher should address the media. Each Tuesday, coach Cowher meets with the media, by NFL mandate (coaches can either meet the media on Monday or Tuesday), to discuss the previous and/or upcoming game. However, the mood of the Steelers press conferences this year have two very distinct tones. When they have won, coach Cowher has been upbeat, jovial and accessible to answer any questions. However, when they have lost, which has been the majority of this season, his demeanor takes a nasty turn for the worse. He snips at reporters who have the audacity to ask questions relevant to personell, or to why a certain play was called, or why something happened that either shouldn't have, or didn't. This to me, is not the work of a true professional. The coach is responsible for the bottom line, wins and losses, and he has to expect tough questions relevant to his team win or lose!!
He will be terse with reporters, sometimes lashing out at them for asking a question. He sometimes gives one word answers and waits for the next question with a look on his face that could kill. The reporters are only doing their jobs, as is the coach. But he is not doing his job, when he conducts a press conference as if his teams failures are the media's fault. People are passionate about the Steelers, that is a fact. And the coach should act the same both when they win and lose. I realize that no one wants to talk about or dwell on losing, but losing is just as much a part of sports as winning. I don't like when coach Cowher acts as if he is blaming the reporters for his team losing. This past Tuesday, a reporter asked coach Cowher if he would play some players on the bench to get a look for next season, or if he had enough information on those players to see if they would be back in 2004. Coach Cowher tersely answered, to paraphrase "I am not talking about 2004, or looking into next season, we are worried about beating San Diego". The reporter's question was a valid one, simply put, he wanted to know if the coaching staff had enough information on the players that don't play, to make an informed decision on whether or not they would be back. I can understand not wanting to talk about next year when you still have games left this season, but at least give a courteous answer, instead of acting like everone else is to blame for the Steelers 5-9 record. The Rooneys kept this team together at coach Cowher's insistance. Now he must step up to the plate and deliver, and he hasn't. So coach Cowher, don't take out your frustrations on the media. They are only trying to get the facts to your fans.
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