Gibbs retires as Redskins coach

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Ultimately, Joe Gibbs chose playing Scrabble with his grandchildren in Charlotte over coaching the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field.

Gibbs, the Hall of Fame coach who returned to the Redskins in January 2004, retired from coaching for the second time during a press conference yesterday at Redskin Park. He also stepped down as team president but will remain as a special adviser to team owner Dan Snyder.

Photos:Coach Gibbs, then and now

Gibbs, 67, made the decision at about 2:30 a.m. yesterday after meeting with Snyder for nearly eight hours. He informed the coaching staff during a 15-minute meeting yesterday morning.

"I just did not feel like I could make the kind of commitment that I needed to make going forward this year knowing what my family situation was," he told the audience in a packed auditorium. "I felt like they needed me."

A day after the Redskins' season ended with a 35-14 defeat to Seattle in an NFC wild card, Gibbs flew to his home in Charlotte, N.C., to visit with his wife, Pat, his two sons and two daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.

Mr. Snyder attempted to persuade Gibbs to return for the final year of his contract but soon realized any attempts would prove futile.

Gibbs' second tour with the team ends with a 31-36 record (including postseason) and two trips to the playoffs in four years. In all, he coached the Redskins for 16 years and was 171-101 (including 17-7 in the playoffs) and won three Super Bowls. Gibbs' .629 winning percentage ranks third all-time, behind George Halas and Don Shula.

In the 11 years between Gibbs' tenures, the Redskins made the playoffs just once. He arrived after the uninspiring two-year tenure of coach Steve Spurrier to steady Mr. Snyder's sinking ship and, for the most part, was successful.

"There are three words that come to mind: Appreciation, admiration and respect," Mr. Snyder said. "I know from working so closely with Joe that the coaches, scouts and entire organization have so much respect for Joe, admire him and have an appreciation for him."

Mr. Snyder said a coaching search will begin immediately for Gibbs' replacement. Assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams was the clear choice of players at the complex yesterday. Former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, who spent his first season away from the sideline working for the CBS NFL studio show, also should expect a phone call.