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Coach Gibbs retires

Hat tips to Bleeding Green Nation and ThePosse (and Chris at Arrowhead Pride). Per ESPN:

He resigned as coach and team president of the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, three days after a playoff loss ended an inspirational late-season run that followed the death of safety Sean Taylor.

Gibbs will remain as a special adviser to owner Dan Snyder and was to discuss his resignation at an afternoon news conference at Redskins Park.

The Redskins will search for a new coach immediately. Among the certain candidates are two former head coaches on Gibbs' staff, Gregg Williams and Al Saunders. The new coach will be the sixth since Snyder bought the team in 1999.

Per the Official Site:
The Redskins will hold a press conference on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET to make the announcement.

Gibbs and Snyder will both be in attendance at the press conference which will be held in the main auditorium of Redskins Park.

Joe Gibbs does not appear interested in remaining as team President or in some GM capacity though I am pleased to see that he will at least remain to advise Dan Snyder. The new coach search will apparently center on Williams and Saunders, at least for now.

Question to reader(s) while I try and digest the huge news: Which of those would you take as the new HC, if either?

Also at The Curly R, Joe Gibbs Resigns from the Redskins, Retires

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Williams
3 out of 4 years with top 10 defense. Maybe actually hire a GM, or someone to let Williams basically not have more than defensive responsibilities.

Keep Al as OC, maybe with no handcuffs things will improve in the offense. Also, Williams  likely learned alot from Gibbs on how to move ahead in rough times and keep the ship going.

This also keeps all possible continuity going instead of rebuilding and switching things around again. Lets just keep moving forward with what we got. Gibbs left us in great shape i think. 2 out 4 years in the playoffs, i'd take that with every coach.

I barely remember Gibbs' first season, so hes meant alot to me as a fan being here all these years.

Im sad to see him go, i thought he would stay his last year for sure. What an emotional season and for sure the most up an down ever.

6 months ago no one could have imagined we'd be here with the Taylor and Gibbs situation. I will miss him.

by Sincethebeginning on Jan 8, 2008 11:40 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I kinda expected this...
Gibbs was never the long term answer at Head Coach, but he did what he was supposed to do and righted the ship.  He got the personnel in order and, save for the salary cap disaster from early on in Snyder's tenure, has the team set up with a core of young players.

I did expect him to slide into the GM role that the team has been missing.  That does surprise me some.  Maybe he has a GM in mind as "special advisor" or maybe the Front Office All-Stars will remain as they are.  That worries me more than the next HC.

As for the coach, I expect it to be Gregg Williams.  It has been reported that he had the wink-and-smile deal in place when he came here.  I also expect Saunders to become the Associate Head Coach or Assistant Head Coach or whatever Williams was and remain as OC.  He would get autonomy as the playcaller and as the offensive boss, which I expect him to take.  I think he has much less of a desire to be a HC than Williams, but I could be wrong.  Often am.

Right now, it's kinda a wait-and-see type of thing.  I hope they do what the Steelers did and go way outside the organization and interview some up-and-coming assistants (Jason Garrett comes to mind) before deciding on a coach.

I think it was the right time for Joe.  I said to SP the other day that if the Skins won a game or two in the playoffs, Joe would definately do this.  I think after the season he's had, he deserves some time off to go fishing or play some golf... or whatever it is that Joe does.  Drive really fast in circles?  Good luck to him.

by TexSkins on Jan 8, 2008 11:42 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Garrett?
I know he's being discussed as an up-and-coming HC (a la Sean Payton), but the last time we hired a former Cowboys OC, it was.... err, Norv Turner.
Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 3:07 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah your most likely right about Joe
He is beloved by many including me and only hope we can get someone of his nature, not necessarily his play calling this time around, as HC.

Just goes to show that even as bad as the play calling was in 2.0, what a person like him can bring to a team.

Incidentally, Jason La Canfora is reporting that Cowher is the front runner without question for the job.

by Sincethebeginning on Jan 8, 2008 11:52 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

well,
he's reporting that some guys think that; but anyone giving a quote to him is bound to have an agenda.

All that really matters is which way Snyder is leaning.

by zknower on Jan 8, 2008 12:36 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I 2nd Williams
What I would like to see is Williams hired as head coach, Saunders as OC (Campbell doesn't need to learn another system), and a CAPEABLE GM hire.

If we don't hire from within, we will be in for a horrible year. I think we need to factor what the players feel to and I hope Snyder is doing that.

These things need to be done sooner than later, I see this being a smooth transtion, or a disaster the likes of the Titanic.

by CptChaosSidekick on Jan 8, 2008 11:55 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

GW's record as a Head Coach:
17-31 (3-13, 8-8, 6-10)

Sure, it was in Buffalo with a less than stellar cast surrounding him, but the numbers are what they are.  Don't get me wrong, I love what he's done with our defense, and desperately want to see him remain in that capacity, I just question his ability as a Head Coach.  That being said, I believe every man deserves a second chance.  But is this the right time to gamble on a HC with that kind of track record?

by ReggieBullits on Jan 8, 2008 11:57 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I think...
Grilliams would make a much better HC in DC. Firstly, he won't be coaching the Bills anymore... it's not like the cupboard was full when he got there. Secondly, I think it's been said that he's learned a lot about HC leadership from watching Gibbs over the past 4 years. (Especially this year) I believe some of that will have rubbed off on him.
Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 3:11 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I might also add
Bill Belichick's record as HC of the Browns: 36-44, 1 winning season, 5-11 record his last year...
Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Nice.
Thanks for that perspective.

by ReggieBullits on Jan 8, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm a continuity kind of guy
so I tend to agree on Williams and Saunders. Whether we'll get a GM is the million dollar question, I'd vote yes, I'd predict no.

by Skin Patrol on Jan 8, 2008 12:04 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Ok..
Now I wish they would quickly name Grilliams head coach so all of this ridiculous speculation about Cowher, Carroll, etc would be put to rest. I think that would be the logical decision.

by CptChaosSidekick on Jan 8, 2008 12:14 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Wouldn't be Carroll...
the only way he'd leave USC would be for a job in SoCal. (IE, the Chargers or a potential LA team) I know Cowher was discussed as the frontrunner during the season, but I really hope we stick with Williams.

Because of the Rooney Rule, we'll be required to interview some minority candidate(s), so we're at least guaranteed to get some outsiders in the room.

Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 3:14 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

They have to interview...
a bunch of guys.  I'd like to see Russ Grimm as one of the names.  He's going to make a great head coach (I think) someday.

This type of process allows to to get a b unch of opinions from very qualified sources on the state of the team and the varying philosophical approaches that exist in the NFL.

Hiring a new coach is less about getting a guy than it is about examining the organization, both in terms of current status and in terms of direction, as a whole.

by TexSkins on Jan 8, 2008 12:23 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Williams
Continuity is key. Saunders has only been here for two years, and while the players like him, they're just now figuring out his system. He needs to be able to focus on the Os entirely and not have to worry about Xs at all.

Cowher would be a mistake. It would be like restarting from the ground up. This team has plenty of promise and a franchise QB. Why suddenly get a FA coach who might want to change everything so that he can claim autonomy?

by zknower on Jan 8, 2008 12:24 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

also,
the players want him:
Several veteran players contacted in the last few days said that if Gibbs did leave -- a development they then regarded as unlikely -- they felt Williams should inherit the job. Under his current contract, Williams would receive $1 million if he is passed over for the position.

"I'd love to see Gregg as the next head coach of the Redskins," Rabach said this morning. "Everybody in the locker room, players, have a lot of respect for Gregg and understand what he can do."

...Asked about a possible replacement, Randle El said, "I want the best coach for the job, and Gregg certainly is at the top of the list, no doubt. I would love to see him get it just 'cause we've gotten going with the crew that we have here. I would love to see Gregg keep it, and let's keep our offensive coordinators, let's keep all that intact, because I think we can really do some things."

That's two offensive players voting for Williams.

by zknower on Jan 8, 2008 12:30 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Outstanding
Gregg doesn't have a reputation as a ho-hum friendly players coach as he's known to scream and yell and hoot at his guys. Yet they seem to think the world of him, even offensively.

His past record concerns me a little bit but it isn't as if the Bills have gone anywhere since he left. He understands this defense and his record on that side of the ball speaks for itself.

He needs to be a serious contender for the job, in my opinion. I'd like to hear more from the players as well.

by Skin Patrol on Jan 8, 2008 12:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

The thing that worries me...
is who will replace GW as DC?  Will he continue calling the defense as HC?  Did he do that in BUF?

I'm not sure the Skins have a DC candidate on the staff.  Greg Blanche is technically the DC, but he doesn't call the defense.

Okay, after reading his bio, he does have DC expereince.  I'm less concerned.  A lot less.

I'm not big on Jerry Gray.  Olivadotti doesn't have the experience.  Neither does Steve Jackson, though I like what he has done.

Any thoughts on this?  The team might actually trim down the staff, if GW does become coach, to have about the same number of coaches as the rest of the league.

Also, anyone else thing that Buges is on his way out the door right behind Gibbs?  That's just my gut feeling.

by TexSkins on Jan 8, 2008 2:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I would hope he still calls the defense
why else would he be staying?  Thats what gibbs did he was HC and was calling the plays until AS was brought on. I think though they should find a way to leviate him from some normal HC duties while he is on the field to let him do that. From what i understand and i could be wrong the HC ususally calls one side of the ball. Our situation here with Gibbs, Saunders and Williams was very unique. I hope Greg Blanche doesnt call the defense or i hope they dont experiment with it.

I think their may be some coaches on their way out although im not sure about Buges.

by Sincethebeginning on Jan 8, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not worried about the D.
Buffalo's defense was pretty consistently among the tops in the league while Grilliams was there, and Blache was the DC for Chicago.

I am concerned that if Grilliams is selected HC, Saunders might leave. However, I think he's probably more interested in building the offense into a powerhouse than running the rest of the organization. I don't know if Buges would leave, I wouldn't be shocked if Buges, Breaux and the old guard retired. I really hope we retain our full staff though, especially Buges. But that should be up to Saunders. (Who will presumably be given free reign with the O)

Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Jerry Gray
He is currently on the Redskins staff as the cornerbacks coach and was the defensive coordinator under Coach Williams in Buffalo. Their last season in Buffalo it was the 2nd best defense in yards of the year and 5th best scoring. He was also the D Coordinator in 2004 for the Bills when they were a top 5 d. He's got the experience and familiarity with the coaching staff, he'd be a fine D-Coord replacement.

by Skin Patrol on Jan 8, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm agreed that
it's impressive that two offensive guys have enough respect for Grilliams to voice their opinions in his favor.

I wonder how Saunders sees that, though...

Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 3:16 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Len Pasquarelli is an asshole...
and a self-congratulating one at that.

And that is why John Clayton gets all the higher-profile, better assignments at ESPN.

From Lenny's shitty column:

At a time when Snyder was dangling a two-year contract extension and wanted Gibbs to hang around for a few more races and, hopefully, a Super Bowl victory lap, the legendary coach instead opted wisely to park himself for good.

Thankfully, for Gibbs, the Hall of Fame is a lifetime fraternity from which a member can't be expelled. Still, the elephant burial ground that is the Washington franchise has, in a sense, claimed another victim.

Not only is the whole column about how great Len is by "predicting" Gibbs's failure, it isn't even written all that well.  There's a punctuation mistake within the first few sentences and there's nothing all tht revealing... and by that, I mean nothing Clayton hasn't already covered.

Lenny needs to move on (or move out).

Also, from Michael David Smith over at PFT:

A league source tells PFT that contrary to popular belief, there is no guarantee in the contract of Redskins assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams that he will either be Joe Gibbs' successor or receive a bonus payment from owner Dan Snyder.

Multiple media reports have indicated that Williams had been promised either the head-coaching job when Gibbs left, or, at minimum, that Snyder would pay Williams a million-dollar bonus if he were not offered the job upon Gibbs' departure.

But in reality, there is no such deal in place.  Although Williams' contract pays him a higher salary to run the defense than some NFL head coaches make, Williams won't necessarily get a big check from Snyder if he isn't named the Redskins' next head coach.

That's an interesting revelation.  I'm not sure what it means as far as who will be the next head coach, but that certainly opens the door for outide-the-organiztion possibilities.  Cowher, yes, but I was thiking of other "big names" that Snyder might go after following Cowher's "no" response.

Interesing stuff.

by TexSkins on Jan 8, 2008 4:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

We've been told
about the Gregg Williams clause for so long that I'm having a hard time believing that the team allowed reputable individuals to report it falsely for this long. I don't know what is going on but am holding off on this particular issue. In any event, Williams has a resume that speaks for itself. Even with some kind of penalty clause, if he really wasn't the right direction for this team I wouldn't insist on him just because it would cost Dan Snyder some millions of dollars not to do so.

by Skin Patrol on Jan 8, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, Len Pastabelly is a huge douchebag.
Literally. He's a card-carrying member of the anti-Redskins Axis of Evil. (Along with Paul Zimmerman and others. At least Dr. Z is witty, though.)
Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 6:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

And should check facts before writing.
This is the caption underneath a photo of Portis talking to Gibbs:

"Joe Gibbs may have struggled with the generation gap between himself and his players."

Are you fucking KIDDING me?? There's NO OTHER PLAYER on the team who had the same love and respect relationship with Gibbs that Portis had. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Not to mention that even Dr. Z and Peter King, during the Skins' losing streak this season, commented on how much the Redskins clearly loved Gibbs and played hard for him.

Come on, Sandy Baby. Loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 8, 2008 6:50 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

There is no clause
Chris Mortensen from ESPN reported on mike and mike this morning that he just got off the phone with the redskins org. and asked specifically about that clause everyone is talking about in GW contract and he was told IT DOESNT EXIST.

by Sincethebeginning on Jan 8, 2008 5:24 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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