Friday, July 18, 2008

Longtime assistant coach Don Breaux has retired from the Redskins because of a heart condition, the team announced yesterday. Breaux, who will turn 68 on Aug. 3, coached 27 years in the NFL, including two stints with Washington, winning three Super Bowls under Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs and remaining one of Gibbs's closest friends.

Breaux served as offensive coordinator for Gibbs the past four seasons but had assumed a less prominent role on Coach Jim Zorn's staff. He had been set to handle advance scouting and special assignments.

His departure leaves just two members of Gibbs's Super Bowl-winning staff at Redskins Park: offensive line coach Joe Bugel and tight ends coach Rennie Simmons.

Breaux coached in Washington from 1981 to 1993, as running backs coach. He returned for a second stint with the team from 2004 to 2007, after Gibbs lured him out of retirement.

"I felt it was a privilege to coach for one of the NFL's premier franchises for 17 years under an outstanding leader of men in Joe Gibbs," Breaux said in a statement released by the team.

Owner Daniel Snyder thanked Breaux for his contributions and commitment in a statement.

Breaux was a pro quarterback before beginning his coaching career with Houston in 1972, and he coached tight ends for the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers between stints in Washington. He is one of Gibbs's closest confidants, with the men sharing holidays and family time together.

Both struggled with various health ailments during their return to the NFL, however, often joking about the toll the long hours and intense pressure placed on them. When Gibbs retired unexpectedly after a playoff defeat in January, however, Breaux expressed a desire to stay with the Redskins, and he was serving as an offensive assistant.

The Redskins will open training camp Sunday morning, and with Breaux gone, only three members of Gibbs's 2004 offensive staff remain with the team: Bugel, Simmons and receivers coach Stan Hixon. Messages left for Breaux were not immediately returned.

-- Jason La Canfora