In his five-year NFL playing career, he was the classic overachiever: an undrafted free agent, he carved out a gritty playing career as a special-teams standout and reserve linebacker who overcame a knee injury that forced him to miss an entire season...

Then came his coaching career. Cowher ascended from the coaching ranks as a special teams coach to defensive coordinator to become one of the youngest head coaches ever named to an NFL head-coaching post.

Cowher again battled the odds in 2000.

After achieving great success in his first six seasons as the Steelers head coach, the team experienced two sub-par seasons in 1998 and '99. Many predicted the same for the 2000 Steelers-or worse.

But, Cowher had a different resolve. Determined to reverse the fortunes of the past two seasons, Cowher re-dedicated himself-and the team. He instilled a commitment and focus that were earmarks of teams from Cowher's first six campaigns. A rigorous offseason conditioning program and an intense, physical training camp characterized the 2000 team.

After an 0-3 start, the critics seemed prophetic. But, Cowher once again met the challenge and rallied the team to a 9-4 finish, a surge that kept the Steelers in playoff contention up to the last game of the season.

Some consider it one of Cowher's best coaching efforts in a impressive head-coaching career.

Although, just 43 years old, Cowher already has established himself among the elite of current NFL coaches.

His nine-year reign as the Steelers head coach ties him with Dennis Green of the Minnesota Vikings for the longest current tenure with any NFL team.

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