There’s lot of talk over Bill Cowher succeeding Joe Gibbs. And lots of talk about Gibbs leaving after this season. Makes you wonder as the Washington Redskins begin their fourth year of Gibbs II today.
Family is pressuring Gibbs to retire after this season, according to sources close to the coach. Gibbs, 66, is diabetic with a past heart problem who continues to work endlessly since returning in 2004 despite promising family members that he wouldn’t. Gibbs’ car was rarely parked at his nearby Reston condo most nights, according to sources who live there, showing he hasn’t curtailed his notorious late-night meetings that marked his first tenure.
Gibbs said his return was partly to help his son Coy break into the business. Coy has since returned to NASCAR.
Gibbs wanted to restore the team’s glory days from his 1981-92 tenure. With marks of 6-10, 10-6 with a playoff victory and 5-11 last year, he has failed to replicate his first stint when winning a Super Bowl in the second season and three overall.
Indeed, Gibbs resorted to pandering to fans last season, often ignoring the game results during press conferences to talking about disappointing supporters. Even diehard fans saw it as a PR spin to evade the real question — why hadn’t the team improved?
This season will not only decide the Gibbs II legacy, but the team’s long-term future. If Washington can’t turn-around its woes, Gibbs may finally succumb to his family’s wishes and retire as the coach. Whether he would remain as team president is uncertain.
If the Redskins return to the playoffs, Gibbs might still walk away with one year remaining on his deal. Sources close to Gibbs say they have no idea which way this will go.
And there lies owner Dan Snyder’s problem. Gibbs is the team’s greatest asset. If nothing else, Gibbs restored a professional manner to the organization that was a marketing company with a football product during coach Steve Spurrier’s 2002-03 tenure.
Snyder must think long-term, though. Cowher is in play with several teams eyeing the former Pittsburgh coach for next year. Cleveland is considered the frontrunner, but Snyder’s money is always the trump card.
Would Cowher accept after some bad blood in 1999 when blocking Snyder’s attempt to hire the former’s top assistant Jim Hastlett as Norv Turner’s replacement? Cowher was openly incensed over Snyder’s request to talk to Hastlett and asked Steelers owner Dan Rooney to deny permission, which was permitted under NFL rules because it was after June 1. Snyder was stuck with Turner, who gained another year by winning the NFC East before being fired during the 2000 season. Hastlett went to New Orleans in 2000.
Ultimately, let’s just say there’s probably a five-year, $50 million deal awaiting Cowher in Washington, even more if it comes to it. However, if Gibbs stays for his final year, Snyder will miss on Cowher just like he lost Haslett.
It’s all a discussion for January, but that doesn’t mean everyone isn’t already talking about it.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
