Another NFL coaching gig opens, another pass by former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.

It seems pretty apparent that each time Cowher takes himself out of the running for a job, the more he seams to be guided by two options:

No. 1, he loves being out of the game and enjoys his TV role on CBS.

No. 2, he's just waiting for the best opportunity to present itself.

Let's cut to the chase. I've seen Cowher as a member of the CBS studio crew. I don't see a future for him on TV. He's not as polished as some of the other former players and coaches, and it's quite obvious.

So, that leaves us No. 2.

Cowher seems content to stay at CBS until a supersweet deal rolls around.

What? Buffalo's not? No quarterback to build around? Ryan Fitzpatrick? Trent Edwards?

When Dick Jauron was fired two weeks ago, former Super Bowl champion coaches were contacted about the job. Mike Shanahan, a two-time winner in Denver, and Cowher.

You could throw in names of other Super Bowl winners like Mike Holmgren and Jon Gruden, but Gruden recently re-upped with ESPN to continue on its "Monday Night Football" telecasts.

Holmgren, after winning in Green Bay, eventually took the Seattle Seahawks job, where he also was given the title of general manager. That's seems to be the growing trend among coaches who are proven winners.

They not only want to coach the team, but to be the top dog in personnel decisions as well.

Holmgren struggled early in that role, but eventually guided the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, which Cowher and the Steelers won following the 2005 season.

It appears Cowher wants to follow Holmgren's lead

He turned down the Cleveland Browns last year — a very wise decision — as well as the New York Jets.

His name has surfaced somewhat about the Browns again — for those holding out hope Eric Mangini will be brought back, sorry to break it to you here — but unless you have a big checkbook and an owner is willing to give you that much power, Cowher is going to turn you down.

His ideal job is to lead a struggling but talented team, such as Carolina, Dallas, Washington, that's ready to break through and be a winner.

Cowher wouldn't want to spend five years building a team through the draft. He went 149-90 in 15 years with the Steelers, had two Super Bowl appearances and one title. Too much losing early in his campaign would hurt his legacy — as well as that won-loss record.

It certainly is Cowher's prerogative to wait for the best offer. But this is his third year away and he's not getting any younger. At 52, he's not the fiery leader he once. Not everyone can be Dick Vermeil.

If he is coming back, he may not want to let too many offers slip by. The clock is ticking, If Cowher keeps saying no, teams might just stop asking.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.