
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 10, 1994                   TAG: 9403100088
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

GIBBS SIGNS DEAL WITH NBC

Joe Gibbs, having decided he really didn't want to return to NFL coaching, is switching roles with NBC Sports. He's also going to double his salary.

Gibbs, the former Washington Redskins' coach who was a game analyst in his rookie NFL telecast season, will become a regular on the "NFL Live" studio show starting in 1994.

The future Hall of Fame coach has signed a multiyear contract with the network to fill a role he prospered in during the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl telecast. Gibbs and former Chicago coach Mike Ditka will be an analytical team in the NBC studio.

Gibbs, who last month turned down an opportunity to become the first coach of the expansion Carolina Panthers, has a four-year NBC contract at an estimated $255,000 annually. He earned $125,000 as a part-time game analyst last season.

An NBC spokesman said Gibbs' deal allows him to have approximately six Sundays off each season to remain with the NASCAR team he owns for autumn races on the NASCAR circuit.

by CNB