Look back

Milestones of Bill Cowher’s 15 seasons as the Steelers coach.

Jan. 21, 1992: The former Pittsburgh area high school player is chosen as Chuck Noll’s successor and only the second Steelers head coach since 1969.

Jan. 9, 1993: Despite a first-round bye, the Steelers are overwhelmed at home by Buffalo 24-3 in their first playoff game under Cowher.

Jan. 8, 1994: The Steelers sneak into the playoffs as a wild card with a 9-7 record, but are beaten 27-24 in overtime at Kansas City.

Jan. 15, 1995: After a 12-4 season that was the franchise’s best since the 1979 Super Bowl champions had the same record, the Steelers are stunned at home by underdog San Diego 17-13 in the AFC championship game.

January 1996: The Steelers survive a desperation last-play pass that is knocked down in the end zone to beat Indianapolis 20-16 in the AFC title game, but lose 27-17 to Dallas in their first Super Bowl in 16 years.

December 1996: With Jerome Bettis slowed by a severe groin injury, the Steelers lose to New England 28-3 in a divisional playoff game.

Jan. 11, 1998: The Steelers go 11-5 with a new quarterback (Kordell Stewart) but the finish is familiar – another AFC title game loss at home, 24-21 to Denver.

Jan. 27, 2002: Despite owning home-field advantage in the playoffs, the Steelers are upset by New England 24-17 in the AFC championship game.

Sept. 29, 2002: New QB Tommy Maddox leads the Steelers to a 10-5-1 record, but the season ends with a 34-31 overtime loss at Tennessee in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Sept. 19, 2004: QB Ben Roethlisberger replaces an injured Maddox in a 30-13 loss at Baltimore. The Steelers don’t lose with Roethlisberger at QB until a 41-27 home-field loss to New England in the AFC championship game.

Dec. 11, 2005: With the Steelers (7-5) in danger of being eliminated from playoff contention with another loss, Jerome Bettis plows through star Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher on a pivotal 5-yard TD run that keys a 21-9 victory and ends a three-game losing streak. The Steelers don’t lose again, winning eight in a row.

Feb. 2, 2006: Cowher finally keeps the promise he made 14 years before to win a fifth Super Bowl, delivering a 21-10 victory over Seattle that was easily the Steelers’ worst performance of their four playoff wins away.

March 2006: Cowher surprises the Steelers by saying he is uncertain if he wants to coach past the 2006 season, and by buying a $2.5 million luxury “retirement” home in Raleigh, N.C.

June 12, 2006: Roethlisberger gives the Steelers a major scare by being seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in which he wasn’t wearing a helmet. He returns in time to take part in full training camp workouts.

Jan. 5, 2007: Cowher resigns after 15 seasons as coach and a 161-99-1 record to spend more time with his family.