In today's Rewarding Moments In Redskins History presented by Maryland Lottery My Lottery Rewards, we look back at the hiring of Joe Gibbs as head coach in 1981.
After a three hour-meeting in New York City, the Redskins had their man. On Jan. 13, 1981, the Redskins hired Joe Gibbs as the 20th head coach in franchise history.
The Redskins were coming off a disappointing 6-10 record under then-head coach Jack Pardee and were ready for a change. The Redskins hadn’t made the playoffs in four years before Gibbs' hiring.
Gibbs was the offensive coordinator of the record-setting San Diego Chargers offense known as “Air Coryell” for two seasons prior to his first head coaching gig.