Rough year in Pennsylvania for quarterbacks – Donovan McNabb’s done for the year in Philly, and hood ornament Ben Roethlisberger has struggled mightily for the not-playoff-bound Steelers.

On to the next crisis: Is Steelers coach Bill Cowher being fitted for the NC State head coaching gig? After all, the former Wolfpack linebacker did purchase a mansion in Raleigh in the offseason.

Wolfpack fans are atwitter – Brandon Coster had a double-double last night and we’re getting Cowher? Nicceeeeeee! – but it’s far from a done deal. Just ask the Pittsburgh homers who are calling the debate ‘laughable.’

We’re not quite sure what to make of all this Cowher chatter. He’s one of the Top 5 coaches in the NFL, he’s got a team that isn’t too old to contend next year (young QB, young RB, the defense just needs some work), and he’s beloved by the locals. On the flip side … going home is always nice.

It’s just something we’ll keep an eye on … seeing as one of our good friends lives for his Terrible Towel and it’ll be interesting to see what happens to Jerome Bettis when Cowher makes a decision. Bettis, after all, threw his old coach under the bus by starting all these rumors earlier in the season. (Some way to open your TV career, huh? That Bettis – he’s a crafty one.) Is Bettis a Peter Vecsey shit-against-the-wall type, or is he actually a connected TV ‘analyst’ who can parlay his friendships as a player into scoops for NBC?

Point, counterpoint: Will Cowher return for a 16th season? (Tribune-Review)
Will Cowher go to NC State? (Fanblogs)
Cowher a long shot for State, but appears to top wish list (Fayetteville Observer)
Bill Cowher’s Worst 2006 Decisions (Mondesi’s House)

[Part I, for those of you new to our site, was when the Steelers were 1-3 and facing Kansas City earlier this season. The Steelers won that week ... only to drop the next three.]