I think Cowher isn’t coaching next year unless Carolina opens up or he can find a great gig. I’ve seen Schefter and some other guys say they don’t think he’ll be coaching next year.

I don’t remember exactly all he said, but he apparently has a reliable source who told him that Shanahan has said he would listen to, but not likely accept a position with the Bills. Supposedly he’s waiting to see what happens in Chi-town, as he’d like to go there.

Via Mort’s most recent tweets:

Even though the Bills are taking their shots at Shanahan & Cowher, one name under discussion is Marty Schottenheimer, as well.

Marty will stick to party line – he’s retired. But could be persuaded. Marv Levy was still winning @ 70; Marty 66 & Ralph Wilson Jr. 9

I’m starting to agree more and more w/ Galliford on this. Let’s get the front office organized first, like hiring a true football GM , then let him pick the coach. That’s the path w/ the most success IMO.

I saw on the WGRZ site that Marty said he is retired and has no interest?

and he could have several options available to him should he opt to return to coaching in 2010.

AKA, thanks but no thanks.

I’m just glad we’re able to openly discuss the next coach. I spent the last 3.5 years in a moral conundrum. I never really liked the Jauron hiring, but the only way to get rid of him was to lose games, which I could never bring myself to do.

All the top, super bowl winning, coaches that we’re looking at have one of two things in common: they won behind a legitimate franchise quarterback, or an incredibly dominant defense. I just hope whoever comes in can help build either of those in Buffalo.

Also, I like Mike Zimmer, the DC of the Bengals as a potential sleeper candidate. He’s kind of the opposite of Jauron in intensity, but he runs a similar scheme, which means we wouldn’t need to change all our defensive personnel right away.

Maybe Cowher/Shanny are waiting to see how high the Bills draft pick goes before they decide. I believe that these guys know how to get O-lines built.

His first few seasons in Pittsburgh, Cowher was getting decent production from a O-line consisting of either low round draft picks or quality free agents…all with Neil O’Donnell as his QB.

The more I want a solid GM before anything. Build top to bottom, the way it should be.