[Chron] Many Broncos say Kubiak is right man for Texans

It looks like Kubiak is definitely gonna be head coach, as reported in this article from the chronicle and Sportscenter.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3586983.html

DENVER — Since he left Texas A&M in 1983 to play quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Gary Kubiak has experienced only two losing seasons in 23 years as a player and coach.

As a backup quarterback to John Elway in Denver, as a quarterbacks coach under George Seifert in San Francisco and as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the Broncos under Mike Shanahan, Kubiak has participated in six Super Bowls and won three rings.

"You don't think that's a coincidence, do you?" Broncos receiver Rod Smith said about Kubiak being on so many winning teams. "Kubes is a winner. He's been around winners since he started, and he's had a lot to do with it."

Kubiak, who will be named Texans head coach once the Broncos' season ends, is hoping to earn his fourth Super Bowl ring, beginning tonight when Denver hosts a divisional playoff game against New England, the defending champion.

Although the Broncos have been preparing for the Patriots, many in the organization have taken time this week to talk about Kubiak and what it means to him to get his first head coaching job in his hometown.

"I know it's even more exciting for him because he knows what football means to the area, and he knows what it means to try to put together a championship team for Houston," said Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist, another Houston native. "Just think about it: Gary's from Houston. He loves the city. He grew up there, played there and went to college close by, and he understands what that means to the fans.

"And it's all about the Texans' fans. I don't think Gary will lose sight of that. It's about building enthusiasm and pride. Going all the way back to Pop Warner, middle school and high school, he's lived it, and that's something special."

Since Kubiak, 44, who starred at St. Pius High School, did a conference call with the Houston media after his interview with the Texans in Denver last week, he hasn't been allowed to comment on returning to Houston as Dom Capers' replacement.

"That's my rule, and it makes things a lot easier for him," Shanahan said. "I was going through the same thing in San Francisco in 1994, and George Seifert told me he'd make it easier for me by saying I couldn't comment (on being hired as Broncos coach)."

No one knows Kubiak better than Shanahan. He coached Kubiak and Elway. In 1994, when Shanahan was hired as 49ers offensive coordinator, he lured Kubiak away from Texas A&M, where he coached running backs for two Cotton Bowl seasons (1992-93).

"For a head coach, it's the ultimate to have a guy you've been with for so long that you can trust with everything," Shanahan said. "It's hard to find a guy that you can actually say, 'I don't have to worry about anything.'

"I know that guy's going to do exactly what I've done, if not more, because he knows me, knows what it takes, and he's been doing that since he's been here. To have a guy that you can totally trust like Gary is invaluable to a head coach."

Kudos from above

If Kubiak brings Troy Calhoun, Broncos assistant to the head coach, he hopes to develop the same kind of relationship. When the Texans officially hire Kubiak, he and Shanahan are going to be separated, and they're going to become opponents.

"I hate to lose Gary, but if I've ever been around a guy who deserves to be a head coach, it's him," Shanahan said. "I'm just shocked a team hasn't picked him up sooner."

Owner Pat Bowlen hired Shanahan and gave his coach total control of personnel. As Shanahan has developed more power and influence in the organization through the years, he has relied more heavily on Kubiak.

"There's no question in my mind that he's ready to be a head coach, and I think he'll be a great one," Bowlen said. "He's been a great offensive coordinator.

"Gary and Mike work hand in hand. Gary's opinion is just as important as Mike's when it comes to game plans and other things that they're concerned about. I think Gary has all the tools and the pedigree to go to the next level."

A bittersweet parting

Bowlen and Shanahan have known for years that they would have to replace Kubiak.

"It's bittersweet in that I hate to lose the guy, not only because I know he's going to be a great head coach, but because he's such a solid person, too, a great family man," Bowlen said. "But I've been around the game long enough to know that it's Gary's time, and this is a great job for him.

"It's in the city where he grew up, in a good organization and for a great owner (Bob McNair), who's become a good friend of mine. I think it's the perfect job for him, and he's the perfect guy for the job."

Although Kubiak is the offensive coordinator who doesn't have the title of quarterbacks coach, he still coaches Jake Plummer, who has resurrected his career since he came to Denver from Arizona.

"I'm actually lucky to have had a chance to be coached by him," Plummer said. "He's given me confidence, put me in situations where I can function so I can utilize my talents.

"Not only does Kubes understand offense, but he understands defenses so well that he puts all of us in positions where we can do what we're best at. He doesn't ask certain guys to do things they aren't good at, me especially."

Plummer is in his third season with the Broncos. He spends more time with Kubiak than any player on the roster.

"I think he's going to be a great head coach," Plummer said. "I think he'll be great at seeing the big picture. Because he played for so many years (nine), he can rub elbows with the players. He can associate with us after a tough game or after a big win.

"You want a head coach who's honest with you. Guys appreciate Kubes' honesty, and I don't see him changing. I'm very happy for him. I'm very sad to lose him, obviously, because of what he's done for me and my career. How do you replace a guy like that? He's been the buffer between Mike and me. Losing that is going to be tough, but I'm very excited for him. I want to see him do well, and I believe he will do well."

Because Kubiak played behind Elway for nine years and has coached in Shanahan's considerable shadow for so long, some outside the Denver organization wonder if he's suited to step up and command a team.

"In the past, I think I heard someone say Kubes wasn't enough of a take-charge kind of guy," Plummer said. "I think that's just an excuse for why he hasn't gotten a job yet. I think he's just been waiting for the right moment.

"He's very serious. He's very professional. He knows when it's time to work, but we have fun when the time's right."

Patience will pay off

Sundquist is in his 14th season with the Broncos. He has watched Kubiak blossom as a coach since he returned to Denver with Shanahan in 1995.

"Gary's going to be a lot like Mike, but he's also going to be a little different because he's a little more laid-back," Sundquist said. "Gary's going to be a tremendous player's coach.

"He's going to be easy for the players to get to know and to respect. He's going to be firm with them.

"There's going to be the Kubiak way of doing things, and he'll let them know that. He's not going to be one who'll set a standard and allow guys to start chipping at it.

"Gary will relate to his coaches very well, too. I think he'll have an open-door policy to those within his circle. I think there'll be a free flow of communication, which is very healthy."

Even though Texans fans will be excited about having Kubiak as their head coach, they will have to be patient. After all, the Texans finished an NFL-worst 2-14 this season.

"There'll be some growing pains, obviously, because he won't have veteran players who know right away how he wants things done," Sundquist said. "We were 7-9 the year (1994) before Mike and Gary came back. Then we were 8-8 and 13-3 in their first two seasons.

"It's going to take a little time to get the players to learn the Kubiak way of doing things."

'Blueprint for success'

The Broncos believe success breeds more success.

"Gary's got the blueprint for success because he's been surrounded with it," Sundquist said. "He knows what it's like to play in this league, what it takes to prepare for an NFL season, from the grind through offseason, training camp and a 16-game schedule and then to approach the playoffs with a renewed sense of energy.

"Gary will be able to say, 'I've been to the mountaintop, and this is what it's going to take to get there.' He got that blueprint from being around some great mentors, tutors and role models. He's taken a little bit of each one to create his own style. I'm convinced that his style is going to be just as successful at the next level."