Gibbs, Joe J.
Football
b. Nov. 25, 1940, Mocksville, NC
Gibbs played football at San Diego State and served as a graduate assistant there while studying toward his master's degree, which he received in 1966. He spent the next fifteen years as an assistant coach for several college and professional teams.
In 1981, he took over as head coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins. During 12 seasons there, he compiled a 124-60-0 record, produced five division champions, and won three Super Bowls, after the 1982, 1987, and 1991 seasons. His 1983 team also reached the Super Bowl but lost to the Los Angeles Raiders.
Known as a workaholic who paid little attention to anything other than football, Gibbs suddenly announced his retirement after the 1992 season, citing unspecified health problems and family considerations.
Gibbs was the chief architect of the so-called "one-back" offense, which sets up with just one running back behind the quarterback. The formation usually uses two tight ends, one of whom often goes in motion either to get into a pass pattern or to lead blocking for a running play.