They look nothing alike. One is known for his spittle and jutting chin, more pronounced when a call doesn't go his way. The other is known for his crop-duster mustache and large waistline, his "time's yours" pressers and quick-witted personality.
Bill Cowher made his name as a defensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs before becoming the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach in 1992. Andy Reid was known for his offensive prowess with the Green Bay Packers when he was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999.
Cowher took over a team in a blue-collar Pennsylvania city which went 7-9 in Chuck Noll's last year. Immediately, the Steelers improved to 11-5, capturing the AFC Central (remember the Central?) before losing to the Buffalo Bills. Overall, Cowher won eight division titles in 14 seasons, made 10 playoff appearances and had a 12-9 record in the postseason. Cowher went to six conference championship games, losing four. All four were at home.
Of course, Cowher finally won a Super Bowl, beating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in 2005.
Reid inherited a team in a blue-collar Pennsylvania city that sported a 3-13 record the year prior to his arrival. After going 5-11 in Reid's first year, Philadelphia transformed and had an 11-5 mark, advancing to the NFC Championship game, only to narrowly lose versus the Greatest Show On Turf. All told, Reid led the Eagles to six NFC East titles in 15 years, made nine playoff appearances and had a 10-9 postseason record. Reid went to five NFC title games, losing four. Three were at home.
Reid's only Super Bowl appearance was in 2004, losing to the dynastic New England Patriots, 24-17.
Both Cowher and Reid were scrutinized heavily by the local media while looked upon as great coaches in most national media circles while failing time and again come January. Different styles, same results.
The glaring difference is one Super Bowl ring to none. Hopefully that changes in short order.
Now, Cowher is seemingly retired, sitting in the CBS studios next to James Brown. Reid has taken a decidedly different approach, signing a deal with the Chiefs before being out of work for a New York minute.
Personally, I always admired Cowher when he coached Pittsburgh. His teams were consistent, hard-working and dedicated to winning. Not shockingly, they often were in the Super Bowl hunt with little talent. Look at the Steelers in Cowher's years and tell me who the great player was outside of Rod Woodson at the beginning and Jerome Bettis, depending on your view of him.
Cowher was saddled with mediocre players for years, or players who were only good/great for a few years before fizzling like Greg Lloyd and Levon Kirkland.
Reid suffered the same problem in Philadelphia. Honestly, I always admired Reid when he coached the Eagles for the same reasons I admired Cowher. His teams weren't stocked with Hall of Famers, but he won all the time.
Who are the Hall of Fame greats from those Philadelphia teams outside of Brian Dawkins and a few years of Terrell Owens? Donovan McNabb? Nobody else comes to mind.
Cowher has always been insanely popular on Arrowhead Pride, and justifiably so. Part of his draw was coaching in Kansas City, the constant thought of "what if he stayed?" Reid doesn't have that connection. In fact, he had none prior to becoming the Chiefs coach.
However, Kansas City got somebody very similar to Cowher. Not in appearance, not in style, but where it counts the most: Results.