A former linebacker for the Eagles and Browns in the early 1980s, Cowher made his bones as a special teams and defensive backs coach with the Browns from 1985 through 1988. After spending three years as defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, Cowher was hired by the Steelers in 1992 to take over for the retiring Noll and become just the second Steelers coach since the merger and the 15th overall.