PITTSBURGH -- Since winning the Super Bowl last year and retiring from the Steelers earlier in 2007, Coach Bill Cowher has been living in North Carolina and preparing to be part of a reality TV series.

Cowher is one of a handful of stars taking part in the ABC reality series, "Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Racing."

"I’m going to be as competitive as I can, but I’m going to respect those walls out there, too. I'm going to make sure I’m under control as I make those turns," said Cowher.

He and fellow celebrities William Shatner and Gabrielle Reece got their first taste of life in the fast lane.

"Everything's different. You drive your car fast on the road, and you think you're a hot shot, driving around the freeway and around curves, it's nothing," he said.

When Channel 11’s David Johnson caught up with the coach in Pittsburgh, he'd finished taping the show and discussed his experience behind the wheel.

"It was interesting. I mean I never actually driven a stick before,” Cowher said. “I got into the car and got right up to about 170 mph."

“I guess I was deprived. Every car I had was automatic -- in Pittsburgh. Too many hills,” he said.

For Cowher, retirement agrees with him. He looks happy and relaxed, at ease with his new life away from coaching.

He is learning to play the piano and he stills plays golf and racquetball.

"I can't complain. It's been good. I'm very thankful and I’ve been blessed for my time [in Pittsburgh]. A lot of memories and a lot of friendships that I will have for a lifetime," said Cowher.

Like all good reality stars, Cowher would not reveal what happened on the track.