Mar 19, 2006 2 min read

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Friday that while he definitely will return to coach the Steelers next year, he and his wife also plan to spend more time in Raleigh. “We love Raleigh, love the area,” Cowher said Friday at North Carolina State football coach Chuck Amato’s clinic. “We have a beach house at Bald Head Island. When we look at this, we think of it as a great place to settle down.”

Cowher, 48, played football at North Carolina State, and his wife, Kaye, grew up in Bunn, about 25 miles east-northeast of Raleigh. They recently bought a $2.5 million home on 1.55 acres in Raleigh.

Kaye Cowher and her twin sister also played basketball at N.C. State

Before they settle in Raleigh, Cowher said he and his wife will divide their time between their home here and one in Pittsburgh.

Cowher, who led the Steelers to their fifth Super Bowl win in January, wouldn’t speculate on when he might retire.

“I take it one year at a time and I’m going from there,” said Cowher, who has two years left on his contract.

Cowher’s future with the Steelers hasn’t been a subject of discussion for team officials, said Dave Lockett, the Steelers’ director of public relations.

“From an organizational standpoint, there haven’t been any discussions; he’s still firmly entrenched (here),” Lockett said.