After 42 years of serving as an assistant coach, 27 in the NFL and 17 of those with the Washington Redskins, Don Breaux has decided to retire.

Perhaps the only thing that could force Breaux to leave the sidelines and the film room was discovered during a recent physical.

Breaux has a heart problem, atrial fibrillation. Surgery is not required. Instead, Breaux will use medication to try to correct the issue.

"After talking with the doctor and considering what's at stake, I decided it would be best not to work this year," Breaux said yesterday.

Breaux served two terms with the Redskins.

He first came in 1981 to be the running backs coach for his longtime friend Joe Gibbs. Breaux served in that capacity until 1993.

He returned to the Redskins when Gibbs returned in 2004, this time as offensive coordinator. He held that position the past four seasons.

Breaux, who will be 68 on Aug. 3, was a member of the coaching staff for all four Redskins teams that made Super Bowl appearances. The Redskins won three of those games.

Breaux plans to return to his home in North Carolina, which is about a mile from Gibbs' home in the Charlotte area.

"When you compete in the NFC East, and you have to come up with game plans and find ways to motivate your players and do the best for them, that's what I'll always remember," Breaux said. "Hopefully, you'll have fruits from your labor. For us, that was our Super Bowl years, and making the playoffs two of the past three years.

"What I'll miss is kicking around ideas. Those are the things you talk about. Those are the little stories you always tell."

This season, Breaux was to be an assistant with the offensive staff under new coach Jim Zorn. Instead, He will watch the Redskins perform from afar.

"I was looking forward to putting this thing together with Jim," Breaux said. "Instead, this is what it has come to.

"I guess I'll have to get the NFL package."
Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444 or pwoody@timesdispatch.com.