Joe Gibbs Steps Down as Washington Redskins' Head Coach, Team President

Hall-of-Fame Coach Once Again Calls it Quits for the 'Skins; Will Remain Advisor to Team

In an all-too familiar move for the Washington Redskins, Joe Gibbs is retiring as the team's coach and president. The Hall-of-Fame coach leaves the team after posting a 30-34 record in his 4 seasons since returning to Washington for a second stint as coach.

Gibbs leaves after a tumultuous season which included the death of All-Pro safety Sean Taylor and a 4-game winning streak that culminated with a playoff berth. His 35-14 loss against the Seahawks will serve as his final game in the NFL.

Despite the overtures of owner Daniel Snyder, Gibbs leaves a 2-year extension on the table to spend more time with his family, calling them "the most important thing I'm going to leave on this earth."

Although his record may not reflect it, Gibbs has had a lasting effect with the team. Despite going 1-2 in two appearances in the playoffs, Gibbs and the Redskins managed to grow past the label of "overpriced losers" and he made them a team with a bright future. They appear to have their future franchise quarterback (Jason Campbell), a consistent ground attack led my Clinton Portis, and a defense that has held for the majority of his tenure.

The 2007 season had to be trying for Gibbs. The shooting death of Sean Taylor was sure to have been a heavy weight on Gibbs' shoulders, especially considering that Gibbs and his staff had finally begun to really reach Taylor and helped him through a maturation process as a defensive leader. Gibbs then went through a tough 5-day stretch which included two games (a loss to Buffalo and a victory against Chicago) and Taylor's funeral and held tough as the team's mental leader. The small breakdown against Buffalo which led to a blown victory aside, Gibbs remained composed and tough and his team responded emphatically with four straight wins and his second playoff birth in three seasons.