ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The NFL’s Denver Broncos announced Monday afternoon that former offensive line coach Alex Gibbs died following complications from a stroke.
Gibbs, who was 80, coached football for 44 seasons. His career began at Mount Airy High School in 1966 and ended as a consultant to the Broncos in 2013.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Alex Gibbs, who had a profound impact on the Denver Broncos and the National Football League as an offensive line coach,” the Broncos said in a statement. “During his 14 years with the Broncos, Coach Gibbs left a lasting legacy on this league with his innovative blocking schemes and outstanding teaching ability. He helped the Broncos to Super Bowls during three different decades—including back-to-back world championships — while forging a reputation as one of the greatest assistant coaches in NFL history.
“Our hearts go out to Alex’s wife, Trina, and the entire Gibbs family as well as Alex’s many former players and fellow coaches.”
According to Mount Airy football historian Doug McDaniel, Gibbs began coaching at the high school at age 25. The Davidson College graduate and Morganton native took over following Charles McIntyre’s two seasons as head coach.
Gibbs had a three-year record of 26 wins, 7 losses and two ties in his three years in the Granite City. This culminated with Mount Airy winning the Class AAA Western State Championship in 1968.
The 1968 Championship team was inducted into the Greater Mount Airy Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Gibbs left Mount Airy to be the defensive backs coach at Duke University in 1969. From 1969-1983, Gibbs spent time at the following colleges: Duke, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio State, Auburn and Georgia.
He made the jump to the NFL in 1984 for his first stint with the Broncos. He was in Denver three years as the offensive line coach, and later returned to the Mile High City as an assistant head coach from 1995-2003. Gibbs helped the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998-99.
Gibbs’ returned to the Broncos in 2013 to serve as an offensive line consultant for one year.
In addition to his three stints in Denver, Gibbs coached for the following teams: Los Angeles Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks.
Gibbs’ former players, coaches and those influenced by him paid homage to Gibbs on Twitter.
As reported by Vegas Nation’s Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore), current Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden called Gibbs: “One of the great innovators, teachers and all time day-to-day grinders I’ve ever met.”
Two-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl Champion Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth), who was a guard on both of Gibbs’ Super Bowl teams, said: “The best coach and teacher Not only of the X’s and O’s of football but more importantly of hard work, accountability and sacrifice for one another…RIP my friend.”
Ed McCaffrey (@87ed), who won two of his three Super Bowls with the Broncos and now coaches at the University of Northern Colorado, said: “I am saddened to hear of Alex Gibbs passing. There will never be a more impactful O-Line coach in the game than Coach Gibbs. My thoughts are with Coach’s wife Trina and all of the extended Gibbs family and friends.”
ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) called Gibbs “one of the greatest assistant coaches in NFL history and a man who almost always got his offensive lines to overachieve.”
The Atlanta Falcons (@Falcons) said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Alex Gibbs, who was a transformational offensive line coach. Gibbs built a foundation here that helped us lead the NFL in rushing from 2004-2006.”
Source: https://www.mtairynews.com