PITTSBURGH — Bill Cowher returned to the Steelers sideline for the first time since resigning as their coach four years ago.

Cowher, attending in his role as a CBS analyst, watched the Steelers final practice Thursday before their AFC playoff game against Baltimore on Saturday. It was his first official visit to their practice site since he stopped coaching.

Cowher watched part of the practice with Mike Tomlin, who succeeded him in 2007 and won the Super Bowl a season later.

Cowher stopped in his native Pittsburgh to conduct interviews with Ben Roethlisberger, James Harrison and Hines Ward, all of whom played for him. Cowher coached the Steelers from 1992-2006, reaching the AFC championship game six times and the Super Bowl twice before winning an NFL title during the 2005 season.

Numerous players hugged and exchanged handshakes with Cowher, who now lives in Raleigh, N.C.