Is Cowher JoePa's Heir?

While diligently working this afternoon I checked the Pro Football Talk rumor mill, as I do about every 5 minutes (hey, I like knowing stuff as soon as it happens). I read the most recent rumor headline "COACH CHIN ON THE MOVE?" and then continue to read the summary of the rumor. Hmm where is the Cowher wagon rumor to be heading now? Huh. A college team? Interesting. I wonder what college team needs a new coach? With my interest piqued, I decide to head on over to College Football Talk, PFT's sister site, and check it out. When the front page loads I see this:

Click to enlarge chin...I mean front page image.

HOLY. CRAP. Seriously? Obviously it is all speculation at this time but is it a possibility? Why not?!?! Everyone knew he would eventually become a coach again. He loved his time in Pittsburgh, so why not try Happy Valley? Here is what the rumor says:

Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is expected to get back in the football coaching game in 2009. Most likely, that would involve working for whatever NFL owner is willing to give him the best combination of multimillion-dollar salary and control over personnel decisions.

But Cowher could also decide to coach in college. And we've heard from some Penn State fans who are extremely excited about the possibility that he could return to Pennsylvania.

The Penn State football web site Laschout.com reported Monday that Cowher was on the campus at Penn State on February 24 and 25, and that he stayed overnight at the home of Athletic Director Tim Curley. And then the site reported today that this real estate listing is for Cowher's home in North Carolina. Might Cowher be putting that home on the market because he plans to be coaching elsewhere 10 months from now?

At this point, it's too early to say. Joe Paterno is 81 years old, and some observers think he's heading into his final season. Then again, "some observers" have thought that for the last decade. But taking over for Paterno would likely be seen as an attractive opportunity for Cowher, and Cowher would definitely be seen as an attractive candidate for Penn State.

Wow. It's too early to believe this but imagine the impact. A big time, successful coach succeeding the greatest college coach of all time. Imagine what this will do for recruiting. Many Penn Staters have feared that the successor will be JayPa. Nittany Lion faithful were hoping for current defensive coordinator Tom Bradley or luring Greg Schiano from Rutgers. But Cowher? Wow. Just wow. Again, it's early and this is a rumor and mere speculation. But I don't mind this speculation. Chin in '09.