Bodog Beat

Joe Gibbs retired from his post as the head coach of the Washington Redskins. (AI Wire photo)

The second time around wasn't as successful as the first. And in the end, it wore on the old ballcoach.

Following a season full of emotional ups and downs, Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs called it a career today, ending his second stint with the club in less-than-spectacular fashion.

Just three days after a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks ended an inspirational late-season run that followed the death of safety Sean Taylor, Gibbs called it quits. The news shocked several players, many of whom left Seattle and their personal meetings certain their 67-year-old coach would return for the final year of his contract.

Several candidates are in line to replace Gibbs – including two former head coaches on his staff, Gregg Williams and Al Saunders. It is also widely speculated that Bill Cowher will garner some attention for the job.. The team will have to interview at least one minority coaching candidate in compliance with the Rooney Rule.

Gibbs was 31-36 with a 1-2 playoffs record after resurfacing from retirement and his NASCAR career in 2004 to gobble up a five-year, $27.5 million contract. He always said he intended to fulfill the contract, but wavered from that stance Monday.

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