Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill “The Scowler” Cowher is set to retire from the game he hates. Or loves. I’ve never been able to tell by his expression.

From The North County Times:

The Pittsburgh Steelers will hold a news conference today, at which coach Bill Cowher is expected to announce his retirement, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on its Web site.

Cowher, the Steelers’ coach for 15 seasons and one of the NFL’s best-known figures, met with team owner Dan Rooney and president Art Rooney II on Tuesday and asked for a few days to weigh his future plans.

Cowher called Dan Rooney from his new home in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday afternoon to say he had made up his mind. The two sides did not discuss any contract terms, a sign Cowher will resign with one season left on his contract. Cowher has talked of wanting to spend more time with his family, especially now that they are living out of state. Cowher’s two oldest daughters are at Princeton and the youngest has only 2 1/2 years of high school remaining, time Cowher doesn’t want to spend away from her.

I’m gonna miss the guy. No, really - I am. He gave guys like Antwaan Randle-El and Kordell Stewart the means to build a career of versatility. He oozed excitement, power, passion in the game. Even with the ultra-crappy 8-8 record the Steelers gained as they trudged thru this season, he’s still retiring at the top of his game in my book.

Here’s hoping his retirement is Big-Tuna style. I can’t imagine the game of football without The Scowler prowling the sideline of an NFL team.