Erhardt Lost Out To Youth

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher’s unexpected axing of offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt, of one of the league’s most respected coordinators, apparently was motivated by his desire to keep receivers coach Chan Gailey.

Gailey was being courted by several teams, but now is almost certain to replace Erhardt.

Erhardt will be 65 this month, and Cowher apparently felt he might retire in a year or two, leaving himself without a coordinator in waiting if Gailey left.