Hall of Famer Gibbs resigns as coach of Redskins

WASHINGTON: Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs has resigned as head coach of the Washington Redskins, after 15 years in two spells in the role, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

The 67-year-old, who coached the Redskins to three Super Bowl titles (1982, 1987, 1991) during his first tour of duty at the helm, returned to coach the NFL club in 2004 after an 11-year absence.

"I did not feel I could make the kind of commitment I needed to, knowing how my family situation was - they needed me," Gibbs, whose grandson Taylor is battling leukemia, told a news conference on Tuesday.

After a sputtering start in a season marked by the death of safety Sean Taylor, Gibbs steered the team to four closing wins that lifted the Redskins into the playoffs. They were eliminated in the wild-card round by the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

Gibbs, who had one year remaining on his contract, will continue with the club as a special advisor to owner Daniel M. Snyder, the team said.

"It will be anything Dan wants me to do, I will help in any way," said Gibbs, who added that he would not keep an office at the Redskins building. "I want the new coach to be relaxed," he said.

Tough season

Gibbs was 31-36 since returning to the Redskins, including 1-2 in the playoffs and his overall career record was 171-100.

Gibbs described the 2007 season as one of the toughest he had ever endured, given the death of Sean Taylor, who was shot dead during a break-in at his Miami home, the number of severe injuries to starters and a series of close losses.

"All that happened, Sean, the tough losses, it was hard," he said.

But Gibbs added he was sure he had left the team in a better state than when he returned as coach.

"I think that we are in a position today, as opposed to four years ago, where things are in place. Whoever gets it - well, it is the greatest football job there is," he said.

After being eliminated from the Super Bowl tournament by Seattle 35-14, Gibbs met with his players Sunday and returned to Redskins Park on Monday for his season-ending news conference.

He said that after the conference he met with his family and his mind was basically made up.

"It was something no one wanted to see happen but we understand and respect the decision," said Snyder.

As well as lending Snyder a hand, Gibbs said he would become more involved in his family's NASCAR team, Joe Gibbs Racing.

Agencies

(China Daily 01/10/2008 page24)