January 21, 1992
Coach Bill Cowher hired
It's something that's can now be said. On this day in Steelers history 'Hall of Fame' Coach Bill Cowher was introduced as the 15th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, succeeding Chuck Noll, who had led the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships during his tenure. Cowher never sought to replace Noll, but instead to carry on the tradition that he had established.
"Chuck Noll is a legend, and it would be a mistake to ignore that success," said Cowher, during his introductory press conference. "It's something we won't try to put behind us, but will try to build on."
Cowher, who was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Centennial Class of 2020, spent 15 seasons as the Steelers coach, leading the team to postseason appearances in each of his first six seasons, tying an NFL record. In his 15 year tenure the Steelers made 10 postseason appearances, won eight division titles, played in six AFC Championship games and two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XL. Cowher ended his Steelers career with an overall record of 161-99-1 (.619), including a 149-90-1 (.623) mark in the regular season.
In Cowher's rookie season as coach, he took what had been a talented team that finished a disappointing 7-9 in 1991 and turned it into an 11-5 AFC Central Division champion that entered those playoffs as the AFC's No. 1 seed.
Cowher finished his career as one of only six coaches in NFL history with at least seven division titles, and he joined Paul Brown as the only coaches in history to take their teams to the playoffs in each of their first six years as coach.
Known for his fiery style, and of course the chin, Cowher brought energy and enthusiasm every time he was on the sidelines and was respected by those who played for him.
"Bill Cowher, he continually challenged me throughout my career," said Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis, a member of the Hall of Honor. "He is the guy that kept me going and always kept me motivated when things were up and down."
January 21, 1979
Super Bowl XIII
Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
On this day in Steelers history, the Steelers and Cowboys met in Super Bowl XIII marking the first rematch in Super Bowl history. And the game lived up to the hype.
The Steelers jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw to John Stallworth. The Cowboys answered, and then took a 14-7 lead when Cowboys' linebacker Mike Hegman intercepted Bradshaw and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. Bradshaw got right back at it, and immediately countered with a 75-yard touchdown to Stallworth to tie the game. The Steelers went into halftime up 21-14 after Rocky Bleier pulled in a seven-yard touchdown catch.
The Cowboys appeared poised to tie the game in the third quarter when Roger Staubach found a wide open Jackie Smith in the end zone, but Smith slipped and fell and the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal to pull within 21-17. The Steelers scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, looking like they were going to put the game away up 35-17. The Cowboys wouldn't quit and answered with 14 points, but time ran out on the comeback and the Steelers won their third Super Bowl.
Check out photos from Super Bowl XIII. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-31 to capture the team's third Super Bowl victory in Miami's Orange Bowl
January 21, 1950
Ernie Stautner selected in NFL Draft
The NFL Draft wasn't something that garnered primetime television attention back in the 1950s, but it was a time when future Hall of Famers would be selected. With their second round pick in the 1950 NFL Draft the Steelers selected defensive tackle Ernie Stautner. Stautner won the NFL's Best Lineman Award in 1957 and he earned All-NFL honors nine times, despite being considered undersized. He missed just six games during his 14-year career, never letting numerous injuries slow him down. Stautner's No. 70 was retired in 1964, a deserving honor for a legend, and the first of only two players to have his jersey retired, the other being Joe Greene's No. 75. Stautner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
"For 14 years, Ernie was not only Pittsburgh's greatest lineman, but one of the greatest linemen in professional football," said Art Rooney Sr., Stautner's Hall of Fame presenter. "For nine years he was chosen for the all-pro game and then I was trying to recollect in the 14 years that he played for us had he ever missed a game and I can't remember him ever missing a game.
"Not only did Ernie play defensive football for us but many times when the going got rough, which was often, he played offense too. He's been a credit to all athletes, and certainly been a credit to professional sports."
Check out photos of Steelers' Hall of Famer Ernie Stautner
