Bettis thinks Cowher will be coaching the Giants next season

Bill Cowher is retired — for now.

“He’ll be coaching next year, and I really think he’ll be coaching in New York,” Bettis told the NFL Network. “That’s just my take on it and thinking about the type of teams that he fits in good with, I think the Giants is definitely one.”

Interesting theory, especially considering the strong odds Tom Coughlin will be finished coaching in New York in 2008. Save a strong playoff appearance and (probably) victory, it’s a safe bet the G-men will be looking for someone else to steer the ship for 2008 and beyond.

But will that person be Bill Cowher?

The ex-Steelers’ Super Bowl-winning head coach may be feeling some retirement jitters right now. After all, he retired after only 15 years of being a head coach, all with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And at age 50, there’s little doubt he could make the return for another lengthy reign as a head coach.

Considering the other teams he’s rumored to be interested in coaching — Cleveland, Carolina, and Washington — I like the idea of him being in charge of the Giants. It’s been too long since they have had a coach of Cowher’s caliber. In fact, they haven’t had a Super Bowl winning coach since Bill Parcells left following the 1990 season (interestingly, it would be Parcells’ final Super Bowl win as well).

But if Coach Cowher does make the return to the NFL, no matter where he ends up, it will hard to imagine him not wearing standing on the sideline alongside players wearing black and gold uniforms.