PITTSBURGH (AP) -The Bill Cowher countdown began Monday for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who may soon be looking for a new coach for only the second time since 1969.

The Steelers, the first Super Bowl winner in four years to miss the playoffs the following season, held their final team meeting with Cowher on Monday. Some players felt it was exactly that - the last time they will meet with Cowher, who is clearly leaning toward resigning after 15 seasons in Pittsburgh.

``I didn't cry. I almost did, but I didn't,'

PITTSBURGH (AP) -Dick Hoak, a Pittsburgh Steelers player or coach all but one season since 1961, is retiring after an NFL-record 35 continuous seasons as a Steelers assistant coach.

The 67-year-old Hoak was the only assistant coach to work for Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher. Hoak was the offensive backfield coach for all but three of Noll's 23 seasons as head coach, then worked the last 15 seasons under Cowher as the running backs coach.

Hoak is the only Steelers on-field employee with five Super Bowl rings, th

10. Atlanta Falcons 7 9 .438 .457 117-139

11. San Francisco 49ers 7 9 .438 .500 128-128

12. Buffalo Bills 7 9 .438 .574 147-109

13. St. Louis Rams 8 8 .500 .465 119-137

14. Carolina Panthers 8 8 .500 .473 121-135

15. Pittsburgh Steelers 8 8 .500 .496 127-129

16. Green Bay Packers 8 8 .500 .500 128-128

17. Jacksonville Jaguars 8 8 .500 .531 136-120

18. Cincinnati Bengals 8 8 .500 .535 137-119

19. Tennessee Titans 8 8 .500 .570 146-110

20. y-New York Giants 8 8 .500 .520 13

Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston

Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New England, N.Y. Jets, Arizona, St. Louis, OaklandPittsburgh Steelers

Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Jacksonville

Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, New England, N.Y. Jets, Arizona, St. Louis, DenverSOUTHHouston Texans

Home: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennes

Pat Ruel, who has 33 years of college and NFL coaching experience and is finishing his second year as USC's offensive line coach, believes Kalil will fare well as a professional, comparing him to Pittsburgh Steelers center Jeff Hartings, a player he coached in Detroit six years ago.

``Those two guys are very similar; they like to compete, they're intelligent guys,'' Ruel said. ``One of his biggest assets is his initial quickness. He's got some athletic skills

PITTSBURGH (AP) -If the Pittsburgh Steelers are determined to win one for Bill Cowher, they're certainly not acting like it.

With the Steelers (7-8) now out of playoff contention, the focus for their season-ending game Sunday at Cincinnati has shifted to the possible resignation of Bill Cowher less than 11 months after he coached them to a Super Bowl victory.

Except, it seems, in their own locker room.

``No, that's not the motivation,'' linebacker Joey Porter said Wednesday. ``I don't think nobody is usin

``What kind of message does that send to the rest of the team to have a leader like that?'' Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister said. ``Steve McNair is a true leader. He's a true warrior. Week in and week out, he gives you everything he has, regard

PITTSBURGH (AP) -Bill Cowher apparently won't make anyone wait to learn if he will return as the Pittsburgh Steelers' coach next season.

Cowher is expected to announce his future plans within a few days of Sunday's season-ending game at Cincinnati, one that is without playoff implications for the no-longer-defending Super Bowl champion Steelers (7-8).

``That's for next week,'' Cowher said Tuesday when asked if he would return next season. ``We'll talk about that next week. It won't go long. I'm not sure wha