Age as a factor?

I know that I'm not the only one who has thought of this... time for me to play devil’s advocate. While I'm as excited as the next Redskin fan about the Gibbs return, is there anyone else who is concerned with his age? Do you honestly think he will renew his contract after it expires? Take a look around at other older coaches. I am a diehard Penn State football fan, and while Joe Paterno is a coaching legend I believe his age has played a role in his decision making capabilities - we have since fallen from the elite of college football teams. No one is going to tell Joe Pa to step down. What if the same happens here in Washington? Remember Landry's last days in Dallas? Remember the old, "I thought it was third down." line when he called a play for a run up the middle on 4th and 9? Don't get me wrong. I think Gibbs will bring glory back to Washington, but how long will he be around before we're playing musical coaches again? There really aren’t any young assistants to take the helm. Even if a good assistant emerges Snyder will just dig deep to get the coach with the most recognizable name. Just my two cents… Ok, I am ready for my thrashing.

I hear what you're saying Skins73, but is it just me, or does Gibbs seem to be a young 63? Bottomline, I'll take 3-5 years of Gibbs over anyone available, period. Also, I don't think anyone would ever have to ask Gibbs to step down- If he's not a success within 3 years or so, I believe he'll step down on his own. I personally think he'll be just as successful as he was the first time around b/c the values he teaches are ageless, and he has surrounded himself with the best the league has to offer in terms of coaching and Snyder has went out and got the type players he wants.... Keep in mind, it could be SO much worse! What if we had another season of "Marty-ball" to look forward to??? I was so sick of 4 yard passes on 3rd and 8 from Schottenheimer that I almost cut back flips when we hired Spurrier. That, unfortunately turned out to be a coach who thought he could block NFL pass rushing schemes with college blocking schemes. We all saw how that turned out. We now have a season of old school, smash mouth football ahead of us. Redskin football the way I remembered it growing up. Teams that had solid line play, a committment to the run, and so important but often overlooked, an emphasis on special teams.
Whenever questions like you posed come up, I always like to remind myself "It could be much worse!!!!"

Gibbs has a very strong work ethic. Everything he does, he does well. A winner as the Redskins coach and a winner in Nascar.
Gibbs gave up a promising career as a raquetball or squash player (I don't remember which) to become Redskins coach back in 1981. He was the #1 or #2 ranked professional in the U.S. in this sport. While not a huge money making sport, he was very successful.
He is not some over-weight loud mouth coach. He works very hard and like raleighskinsfan says, he is a very young 63.

In this day and age, players seem to respond to old school coaches. I think that the skins might well react the way that Dallas did. We have real talent, veterans, and a bad taste in our mouth. I think the players will buy into Gibbs' way of doing things.

Gibbs is only 63, while Paterno is, I belive 78. Take what Joe Paterno was 15 years ago, and I think 63 is just a fine age to be coaching football.

I dont think he will stay past 5 years. To tell you the truth I dont care. I am just trilled to have him now. I couldnt agree more on who else would do a better job than him. Does he have to to work as hard as he once did? No I would be happy with him working half as much or even putting in the same amount as the ole ball coach, or even just showing up on game day. He dont have to put in that much time with all of his good coaches. But in all honesty he will and dont be suprised if the cot is back every now and then. I dont think Pat will like that, so maybe not. Hopefully the next time he hangs it up we will be in better shape and with him being the president maybe he will stay longer. I think he will be around even after he is done coaching. HE IS A TRUE REDSKIN!!!

Its true that we dont have a very young coaching staff. hell some of them game out of retirement to coach with Gibbs. Its definitly a system in place to win now. Mabye Williams will become a headcoach again. Im not to worried about it, DC needed Gibbs, we needed the fan support to go back up and bring everyone together again. Gibbs will put back the integrity that has been takien away since the Cooks left.

I don't see Gibbs making idiot calls, however he is getting older and no one can deny that. What happens if he has a sudden heart attack (please no!) who takes over? I'm just hoping that during his second reign as coach that he grooms someone (Williams?) to be a very good head coach.

i also dont think Gibbs will be here for than 5 years. In 2006 we will be about 20 million over the cap i can honestly only see him staying about 3 or 4 years i could be wrong but that just my opinion. He will have his sucess and step down and go down as one of the best coaches ever not that he already isn't

He's also had 12 years away from football, which would certainly give him time to recharge his batteries. He's shown more enthusiasm for the game in the past few months than I can remember seeing from any coach at that level, regardless of age.

Should we be concerned for five years down the line? Hell, I'm concerned for September. We've been to the playoffs once in the past 10 years. We are the Cardinals of the East. Right now, I'm just worried about 2004-05.