Former Seahawks offensive line coach Alex Gibbs has passed away
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By: John P. Gilbert
Fans of the Seattle Seahawks are starting to truly get excited for both the start of the 2021 season and the return of fans. However, before that excitement arrives in a matter of weeks, there is more somber news to report.
Alex Gibbs, one of the greatest assistant coaches in NFL history and a man who almost always got his offensive lines to overachieve, passed away Monday morning in Phoenix, Arizona, following complications from a stroke, per the Broncos. Gibbs was 80 years old. pic.twitter.com/648h0Zq0YS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 12, 2021
Alex Gibbs, of course, was hand picked by Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll to take on the job of Offensive Line Coach when Carroll arrived in the Pacific Northwest back in 2010. However, for reasons that have never been publicly shared, Gibbs resigned on the eve of the 2010 season, with Seattle left to scramble in order to hire Pat Ruel, with whom Carroll had worked for five seasons at USC.
Gibbs is considered the father of zone blocking schemes, with the wide zone running scheme the Denver Broncos rode to two Super Bowl titles in the 1990s on the legs of Terrell Davis and the arm of John Elway. Gibbs input on the league is still seen today, as his scheme is what makes up the foundation of many of the most dangerous ground games across the league, including those of the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams just in the NFC West.
Uncompromising in his system and his demands, Gibbs will be missed as the NFL has lost a great one today.
