After 12-year layoff, Gibbs feels weight of big expectations

Gibbs was a barely known coach when he first joined the Redskins 23 years ago.
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- The second time around, Joe Gibbs feels the full weight of responsibility that comes with coaching the Washington Redskins.
"If anyone has tried to go back to where you have a lot of pride at stake, you can imagine the emotions I have," the Hall of Fame coach said Friday, on the eve of his first training camp in 12 years. "You're nervous about it. Personally, you want to do well.
"I never understood that when I got the job the first time. I thought when I got the job the first time as a head coach, my life is fulfilled. If I got fired, hey, at least I got my opportunity."
Gibbs was barely known when he first joined the Redskins 23 years ago; now he's returning with a daunting reputation to uphold. As he spoke, he stood behind the three Super Bowl trophies he won from during his first stint from 1981-92.
Counting on him
"All the fans are counting on you," Gibbs said. "Certainly all the coaches that you've recruited and moved here, their careers and lives are staked on making the Redskins go. So what happens is, it's not yourself.
"So, I worry about letting everybody down. That's what I'm concerned about."
Gibbs has always been well-versed at downplaying expectations. He noted that last year's team was expected to contend for the playoffs before fizzling to finish 5-11 under Steve Spurrier. He went out of his way to lavish credit on other teams, particularly the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Meanwhile, he said he is conducting his work as if he had a first-year coaching staff, despite all the familiar veteran assistants he has hired. He said he has studied the moves made by division rivals Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Giants, and that "it's not a pretty picture."
"I've been embarrassed a little bit by all the attention," Gibbs said. "But the good thing about sports, that quickly goes away if you don't do well. I'm going to get mine pretty quick, I would imagine."
Gibbs pointed at the shining hardware in front of him.
"The Super Bowl trophies, that's great," Gibbs said. "That's in the past. That was a long time ago."
Complete overhaul
Gibbs has overhauled everything about the Redskins.
Forty-two new players and 18 new assistant coaches will take to the field this morning on newly re-sodded grass. The training facility has a new kitchen, players' lounge and other improved amenities. The players have welcomed Gibbs' style and are anxious to play for him after months of class work and minicamps.
"The real men come out when those pads come on," cornerback Fred Smoot said.
Gibbs' arrival gives the Redskins their sixth different training camp dynamic in six years, with either the coach or the venue -- or both -- changing every year since owner Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999.
In 2000, Snyder moved camp to Redskins Park and charged admission, a huge mistake he's said he won't repeat. In 2001, new coach Marty Schottenheimer wanted to get out of town, so he moved camp to Carlisle, Pa. Spurrier replaced Schottenheimer in 2002 and kept the camp in Carlisle before moving it back home to Redskins Park last year.
Now, it's 2004, and Gibbs has the camp at home, but only because he didn't have the time to look for a place to fulfill his preference to have the "peace and quiet" that comes with being away. In other words, there could be another change next year.
"I'm anxious to see how this works," Gibbs said.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.