Daniel M. Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, announced today that Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs will return as head coach and team president. The most successful coach in Redskins history, Gibbs brings back his relentless work ethic, demanding leadership style, and tradition of excellence and respect that defined his tenure with the team for 12 glorious years.
Gibbs, who coached the team from 1981 to 1992, turned the Redskins into an NFL dynasty during his tenure. He led the Redskins to four Super Bowls--winning three titles--and accumulated a 124-60 record during regular season play and an amazing 16-5 post-season record (.789 win percentage). No Redskins coach in history has enjoyed such success on the playing field.
"Joe Gibbs helped define what the Washington Redskins stand for--integrity, hard work, determination, winning and championships," said Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. "Who better to set our strategy and lead the Redskins back to championship glory."
"The Redskins are very dear to me and my family," coach Gibbs said. "We're very excited about this opportunity to return to where we have so many friends and loyalties."
Among NFL coaches, Gibbs holds a special place as well. His 140 wins is the 14th best in NFL history, accomplished in just 12 seasons, six seasons less than his 13 counterparts. His all-time winning percentage of .683 remains the best among all NFL coaches with more than 125 wins.
The team will hold a press conference at Redskins Park at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Gibbs took the helm of the Washington franchise as a rookie head coach in 1981 and turned the Redskins into a winning machine. After just his second season, he led his Redskins team to Super Bowl XVII, beating the Miami Dolphins 27-17. He returned to the Championship game in 1983 and was named NFL Coach of the Year. The Redskins went on to win Super Bowls XXII and XXVI under his watch, building a tradition of excellence that has remained unmatched to this day. In all, he recorded 11 winning seasons in his 12 years, taking the team to the playoffs eight times. In the history of the NFL, only Vince Lombardi and Weeb Ewbank have had better playoff win percentages.
Gibbs took his rightful place among other NFL legends in 1996, when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
His leadership skills have not been relegated to just the football playing field. In 1993, he left the Redskins and the NFL at the pinnacle of his career, looking to spend more time with his family and NASCAR race team, established in 1991. He quickly established Joe Gibbs Racing into a force to be reckoned with on the NASCAR circuit, assembling a team that would go on to find similar success to what he achieved in the NFL.
In just his second year, Gibbs' team, with driver Dale Jarrett, won the Daytona 500, the sports premier event. He would go on to recruit drivers Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart, both who have flourished with Joe Gibbs Racing, taking the NASCAR season-long championship Winston Cup crowns 2000 (Labonte) and 2002 (Stewart).
