Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joe Gibbs

How Joe Gibbs built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Joe Gibbs is a celebrated former American football coach, most notably with the Washington Redskins (now Commanders). In his 16 seasons (1981-1992, 2004-2007), Gibbs guided the team to nine playoff appearances, secured five NFC Championship titles, and achieved three Super Bowl victories. He is also an auto racing team owner.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1964: Began Coaching Career

In 1964, Joe Gibbs began his coaching career, coaching offensive linemen under Don Coryell for the San Diego State Aztecs football team.

1973: Hired as Offensive Backfield Coach for the St. Louis Cardinals

In 1973, Joe Gibbs was hired as the offensive backfield coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

1977: End of tenure as Offensive Backfield Coach for the St. Louis Cardinals

In 1977, Joe Gibbs ended his tenure as the offensive backfield coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

1978: Served as Offensive Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 1978, Joe Gibbs served as offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1978: Championed Doug Williams in the NFL Draft

In 1978, while in Tampa, Joe Gibbs championed black quarterbacks in the NFL, rating Doug Williams as the best professional prospect and recommending that Tampa Bay draft him.

1979: Rejoined Coryell with the San Diego Chargers

In 1979, Joe Gibbs rejoined Don Coryell with the San Diego Chargers.

1980: Chargers Averaged Over 400 Yards of Offense Per Game

In 1980, as offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, Joe Gibbs spearheaded the "Air Coryell" offense, leading the Chargers to average over 400 yards of offense per game.

1981: Became Head Coach of the Washington Redskins

In 1981, Joe Gibbs started his tenure as the head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL).

1981: First Season with the Redskins

In 1981, Joe Gibbs' first season as head coach of the Redskins saw the team start with five losses but finish with an 8-8 record.

1983: Super Bowl XVIII Loss to the Los Angeles Raiders

In 1983, Joe Gibbs coached the Redskins to a 14-2 regular-season record and another NFC Championship, advancing to Super Bowl XVIII where they lost to the Los Angeles Raiders 38-9, despite being favored.

1984: Lost NFC East Playoff Game

In 1984, Joe Gibbs coached the Redskins to win the NFC East title with an 11-5 record, but they lost the home playoff game against the Chicago Bears 23-19.

1985: Redskins Missed Playoffs

In 1985, Joe Gibbs coached the Redskins to a 10-6 regular-season record, but the team narrowly missed the playoffs. During the season, Joe Theismann suffered a broken leg during a game.

1986: Lost NFC Championship Game

In 1986, Joe Gibbs coached the Redskins to a 12-4 regular-season record, but they lost the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants 17-0, marking Gibbs' only NFC championship game loss.

1987: Super Bowl XXII Victory

In 1987, Joe Gibbs coached the Redskins to win Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos 42-10, led by quarterback Doug Williams.

1988: Redskins Finished with Losing Record

In 1988, the Redskins finished with a losing record, 7-9, during Joe Gibbs' tenure, being the only losing season so far.

1992: Founded Joe Gibbs Racing

In 1992, Joe Gibbs and his sons founded Joe Gibbs Racing, a NASCAR team.

1992: Joe Gibbs: Fourth and One Published

In 1992, Joe Gibbs co-authored "Joe Gibbs: Fourth and One", a book resembling a business and life how-to guide, discussing his successes and mistakes in his career.

1992: Redskins Loss in the Divisional Round

In 1992, Joe Gibbs coached the Redskins, who finished with a 9–7 record and made the playoffs as a wild card, to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round. However, they lost in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers.

1992: Ended first tenure as Redskins Head Coach

In 1992, Joe Gibbs concluded his first stint as the head coach of the Washington Redskins.

1992: Joe Gibbs Racing Team Creation

In 1992, Joe Gibbs created his NASCAR team, Joe Gibbs Racing, a year before his first retirement from the NFL. Dale Jarrett was the first driver for his team.

March 5, 1993: Gibbs Announced His Retirement

On March 5, 1993, Joe Gibbs announced his retirement, citing health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family.

1994: Began Serving as a Color Analyst

In 1994, Joe Gibbs began serving as a color analyst on NBC Sports' NFL pregame show.

1995: McDonald's Sponsorship

From 1995 to 1997, McDonald's was the primary sponsor on all three cars.

1995: Gibbs Enters NHRA

In 1995, Gibbs began fielding three cars in the NHRA, one in each of the professional categories.

1995: Considered Coaching Carolina Panthers

In 1995, Joe Gibbs seriously considered coaching the Carolina Panthers when they first joined the NFL, but he decided against it due to time management concerns with his NASCAR team.

1997: End of tenure as Color Analyst

In 1997, Joe Gibbs ended his tenure as color analyst on NBC Sports' NFL pregame show.

1997: McClenathan's Hot Streak

In 1997, McClenathan finished second in NHRA Winston Top Fuel points and went on a hot streak, sweeping the famed Western Swing (Denver, Sonoma, Seattle).

1998: Sponsorship Changes

In 1998, Cruz Pedregon was sponsored by Interstate Batteries and Jim Yates by SplitFire.

1998: McClenathan Second in Points

In 1998, McClenathan finished second in NHRA Winston Top Fuel points for the second consecutive year with Gibbs.

1999: Pedregon leaves Gibbs' team

In 1999, Cruz Pedregon left Gibbs' team mid-season. Tommy Johnson Jr. replaced him and won his first Fuel Funny Car win with Gibbs at the '99 NHRA Keystone Nationals.

2000: Focus on NASCAR

Following the 2000 season, Gibbs announced that he would focus solely on his NASCAR teams, ending the six-year-long relationship with NHRA.

2000: McClenathan Wins No-Bull Showdown

In 2000, McClenathan took Gibbs' MBNA Top Fuel Dragster to a $200,000 payday, winning the NHRA Winston No-Bull Showdown.

2003: Racing to Win Published

In 2003, Joe Gibbs co-authored "Racing to Win", a book resembling a business and life how-to book and motivational guide.

2003: Considered Falcons Head Coaching Position

In 2003, Joe Gibbs seriously considered returning to football, interviewing for the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching position.

January 2004: Accepted Offer to Return as Redskins Head Coach

In January 2004, Joe Gibbs accepted an offer from Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to return as the team's head coach. He left his racing team in the hands of his eldest son, J. D., and his other son, Coy, joined him as an assistant with the Redskins.

2004: Worst Season in Career

In 2004, Joe Gibbs had what was, up to that point, the worst season of his career with a 6-10 finish as head coach of the Redskins.

2004: Returned to the Washington Redskins as Head Coach

In 2004, Joe Gibbs returned for a second term as the head coach of the Washington Redskins.

2006: Hired Al Saunders as Associate Head Coach

During the 2006 offseason, Joe Gibbs hired Al Saunders as associate head coach for the Redskins.

2006: Worst Regular Season Record Under Gibbs

In 2006, the Redskins finished with a 5–11 record, which was the team's worst regular-season record under Joe Gibbs.

2007: Ended second tenure as Redskins Head Coach

In 2007, Joe Gibbs ended his second stint as the head coach of the Washington Redskins.

January 2008: Gibbs Retired as Head Coach

In January 2008, Joe Gibbs retired as head coach and president of the Redskins, citing family obligations.

2008: Formation of JGRMX Team

In 2008, Gibbs branched out into motorcycle racing, forming the JGRMX team competing in the AMA motocross and supercross championships.

2009: Game Plan for Life Published

In 2009, Gibbs wrote the book "Game Plan for Life", which discusses his life in football and how his religious faith can help others.

2017: Seminary Campus Funded

In 2017, the Game Plan for Life organization funded the establishment of a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary campus in the Nash Correctional Institution prison.