It was an admirable attempt at stating his case to return as coach of the Cleveland Browns next season, but Romeo Crennel isn't numb to reality.

During his press conference Monday, Crennel said he assumes he'll have a discussion with owner Randy Lerner about his future shortly after the season ends Sunday in Pittsburgh. He also said he thinks he could reverse the team's fortunes if given a chance at a fifth season on the job.

Barring something unforeseen, the discussion with Lerner will essentially be to thank Crennel for being a true professional and a good man the last four seasons before delivering news that he's not coming back. The worst-kept secret in the NFL for several weeks is that Crennel will be out, and it's possible general manager Phil Savage also will be looking for employment.

All of which leads to the question that's consumed the minds of fans since the Browns blew big second-half leads in consecutive defeats to the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos in early November - who will be the next coach? Don't think that Lerner and his inner circle of confidantes haven't been putting together long and short lists of candidates.

What's intriguing about the search is that Savage reportedly isn't part of the selection group. Former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano said on WKYC's ''The Point After'' show Monday night that he's been told Savage, who played a big role in bringing Crennel to town, is not in the loop, which doesn't say much for his chances of returning in a significant role, if at all.

As for the next coach, the name that keeps coming up is Bill Cowher, who's spent the last two seasons as a studio analyst for CBS Sports game-day coverage. The mere mention of Cowher's name sparks lively discussion among fans. Some want no part of a former Steelers coach. Others - probably the majority - have no problem hiring a coach with a long track record of success (a 149-90-1 career record), including one Super Bowl victory.

Include me in the latter group. It's as silly to think that an ex-Steelers coach can't be welcomed in Cleveland as it is to think that a Michigan receiver can't be warmly embraced in Browns Town.

Some people seem to forget Cowher was a special teams standout for the Browns from 1980-82. He got his coaching start as an assistant for Marty Schottenheimer in 1985 and remained with the team until Schottenheimer was sent packing because he refused to make staff changes demanded by owner Art Modell following the 1988 season.

It should be recalled that Cowher nearly filled the coaching vacancy after Bud Carson was fired in 1990. It came down to Bill Belichick and Cowher, with Belichick getting the nod because Modell thought Cowher needed a little more experience.

There's no doubt Cowher respects Browns' tradition and would be intrigued by coaching the team. Having participated in numerous conference calls with Cowher in the weeks leading up to Browns-Steelers games, I can't recall the number of times he talked about his love of Cleveland and mentioning that two of his three daughters were born while he was with the Browns.

Cowher would be good for the team and good for a fan base that needs a jolt of energy. The Browns have been there and done that by going after the hot offensive or defensive coordinator. They dipped into the college ranks and plucked out Butch Davis, which was a failed experiment.

It's time to go after someone with a proven NFL track record as a ''head'' coach. There aren't many of them out there, except the guy with the prominent chin that's been making small talk with Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason and Shannon Sharpe the last two seasons.

Fans who have a problem with Cowher because of his Pittsburgh ties need to get over it. Or, as Savage might write in an e-mail, ''Go root for the Wolverines.''

mmclain@tribtoday.com