Joe Gibbs

:For the Jamaican record producer, see Joe Gibbs (record producer)

Washington Redskins Career (1981-1992)

The Washington Redskins had not seen, for nearly forty years, a victory in a championship game. Owner Jack Kent Cooke felt that a major change was needed if the franchise was to be saved. After firing then-head coach Jack Pardee, Cooke was on the lookout for candidates. When general manager Bobby Beathard pointed out the forty-year-old San Diego assistant coach, Cooke saw potential in him and Gibbs was hired.

Related Topics:
Championship game - Jack Pardee - General manager

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Gibbs' first season with the Redskins started inauspiciously when the team lost their first five games. However, the losses served as a catalyst, and the newly-motivated team improved and reached an even 8-8 record for 1981.

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Gibbs' second season with the Redskins (1982) realized the dreams of the entire Redskins fanbase: an NFC Championship Game and a Super Bowl victory. In a strike-shortened season, the team advanced through the playoffs and eventually won Super Bowl XVII by beating the Miami Dolphins, taking revenge for Washington's loss to Miami in Super Bowl VII.

Related Topics:
1982 - NFC Championship Game - Super Bowl - Super Bowl XVII - Miami Dolphins - Super Bowl VII

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The following season (1983), Gibbs' surprising success continued and the Redskins once again won an NFC Championship, advancing to Super Bowl XVIII. The Redskins were an overwhelming favorite going into the game, but proved overconfident, collapsing and being crushed by the Oakland Raiders.

Related Topics:
1983 - Super Bowl XVIII - Oakland Raiders

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Three years later, in 1986, Gibbs coached the team back to the NFC Championship game, but lost to the New York Giants. It was to be his last championship game loss. The following season (1987), the Redskins got into the playoffs and reached Super Bowl XXII, where they rode on the arm of quarterback Doug Williams to blow out the Denver Broncos.

Related Topics:
1986 - New York Giants - 1987 - Super Bowl XXII - Doug Williams - Denver Broncos

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Four years later, in 1991, Gibbs' Redskins were the most dominant team in the league. They won their first 11 games before finishing the season 14-2, and cruised through the playoffs to the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXVI, the Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills, giving Gibbs and the team their third Super Bowl title.

Related Topics:
1991 - Super Bowl XXVI - Buffalo Bills

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After one more season of coaching, Gibbs suddenly retired in early 1993, surprising many. A notorious workaholic, he had begun to suffer some health problems, and he cited a desire to spend more time with his family.

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In 1996, Gibbs was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is one of the winningest coaches in NFL history, with a record of 124 wins and 60 losses, and a post-season record of 16 wins and five losses. His combined winning percentage of .683 is third all-time (behind Vince Lombardi and John Madden). In his 12 seasons, the Redskins won 4 NFC East titles, reached the playoffs 8 times, and finished with a losing record only once (7-9 in 1988). Gibbs is also the only NFL coach to ever win three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks (and also three different starting running backs).

Related Topics:
1996 - Pro Football Hall of Fame - Vince Lombardi - John Madden - NFC East - 1988 - Running back

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Style of play

Although Gibbs helped craft a passing-oriented attack during his time in San Diego, his Redskin teams were known as ground-oriented squads that focused on running the ball. By building a strong offensive line (known as "the Hogs") Gibbs was able to control the line of scrimmage, allowing talented running backs like John Riggins to power the ground game. To this Gibbs added a deep passing attack that supplemented and complemented the ground game, utilizing receivers like Art Monk. Gibbs' offense was aided during his tenure by strong defensive units under the direction of defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon.

Related Topics:
John Riggins - Art Monk - Richie Petitbon

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Gibbs system was robust enough to be successful without a Hall-of-fame-caliber quarterback at the helm. The Redskins' Super Bowl victories were won using Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark Rypien -- capable players who could be very successful when given a strong supporting cast.

Related Topics:
Joe Theismann - Doug Williams - Mark Rypien

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Gibbs is credited with inventing the single back, double tight end set. He used it to to neutralize Lawrence Taylor, realizing that to successfully block him with a running back was impossible; an extra tight end and a tackle were required. When Gibbs incorporated the shifting and motions for which his offenses were known, the formation also created a lot of mismatches that could be exploited.

Related Topics:
Tight end - Lawrence Taylor

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