NC State to induct Bill Cowher into Ring of Honor

Bill Cowher, a legendary NFL figure for his run of success with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is being honored by his alma mater, North Carolina State, this season. A former linebacker for the Wolfpack, Cowher will inducted in the football program’s ring of honor.

A ceremony will take place ahead of a home football game versus Louisville on Sept. 29. Cowher is the only former Wolfpack player to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

“What a tremendous honor it is to be inducted to the Ring Of Honor in Carter-Finley Stadium. It is a legendary list of past honorees. I came to NC State as a boy from Crafton, PA, and left four years later a man. Thanks to the tutelage and guidance of so many – Lou Holtz, Bo Rein, [and] Chuck Amato, to name a few. This is a very SPECIAL recognition. Go Pack!” Cowher said in a press release.

Cowher played at NC State from 1975-78, playing for both Holtz and Rein during his time there. He’s in the Top 10 in school history for total tackles, still, with 371. He recorded 195 in 1978, still a single-season record and his pair of 24-tackle games — against South Carolina and Clemson, respectively, are tied for second in program history.

While Cowher’s NFL playing career was brief, his coaching run was impressive. After five years playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, Cowher joined the staff in Cleveland in 1985. By 1992, he was named the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a role he’d hold for 15 years.

Cowher’s run in Pittsburgh is among the more successful NFL head coaching tenures. He finished with a 161-99-1 overall record and twice was named NFL coach of the year. He was the first head coach to go the playoffs in his first six seasons and led an era of sustained postseason presence for the Steelers.

In 2006, he led the Steelers to a Super Bowl championship. He had previously been the youngest coach to lead a team to the Super Bowl, falling short in 1995 at just 38 years old. (Current Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has since broken this record.)

Cowher moved seamlessly into the CBS Sports NFL broadcast team, working from the desk on gamed days in studio.

He’s been an integral part of football for so many for almost 50 years and for it, Cowher will be enshrined forever in his alma mater’s ring of honor.

“Throughout his career, Bill Cowher has epitomized what Wolfpack football is all about,” current head coach Dave Doeren said. “He is a true mentor, leader, and icon in the coaching profession, and we are so proud to be able to honor him in Carter-Finley Stadium alongside other NC State legends.”

The first phrase from athletic director Boo Corrigan’s remarks in the press release sum it up succinctly.

“Bill Cowher has left an indelible mark on the game of football,” Corrigan said.