Browns to Target Cowher as Coach; Pioli as GM

With Phil Savage already gone and Romeo Crennel next, the Browns are expected to do what has been rumored to have been done for close to two year - target former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.  The former coach, along with Pats VP Scott Pioli are going to sit down with Browns owner Randy Lerner this week according to the Plain Dealer.  Here is the report:

Browns owner Randy Lerner is hoping to recruit former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher or New England vice president Scott Pioli to head his revamped football operation. According to a source, Lerner was absent from the game because he was lining up a busy schedule of interviews this week. He is expected to meet face-to-face this week with Cowher, who has been telling everyone that he does not intend to return to coaching in 2009.

If Cowher won’t budge out of retirement, there are still a number of coaches that could be on the short list:

Josh McDaniels - Pats offensive coordinator

Rex Ryan - Ravens defensive coordinator

Perry Fewell - Bills defensive coordinator

Greg Blache - Redskins defensive coordinator

Steve Spagnuolo - Giants defensive coordinator