Chron: Texans to meet Broncos' Kubiak in Denver today

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3569171.html

Texans' brass goes west in search of new coach

By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Three days into the Texans' coaching search, the process is heating up. The five-man search party, led by owner Bob McNair, will travel to Denver today to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who was a candidate for the same job five years ago.

While the rest of the Texans' interviews are being conducted at Reliant Stadium, NFL rules dictate the Texans must speak with Kubiak in Denver since the Broncos, who have a first-round bye, are in the playoffs.

Kubiak's interview falls midway through the Texans' first week of their intensive search. They interviewed Texans wide receivers coach Kippy Brown and Kansas City offensive coordinator Al Saunders on Thursday, leaving Kubiak, Jerry Gray (Saturday) and Cam Cameron (Sunday) as the remaining candidates with official interviews scheduled. Miami offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was interviewed Wednesday.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz remains a candidate, but both Texans and Iowa officials said no interview has been arranged yet. McNair has said publicly that he will not discuss candidates from the collegiate ranks because he doesn't want to adversely impact a coach's recruiting.

"I have not been contacted by anyone from the NFL, and I have not been notified by coach Ferentz that he intends to have discussions with anyone," Iowa athletic director Bob Bowlsby said. "The latter is a stipulation in his contract."

Kubiak, a leading candidate for the job, isn't a new face to those in the Texans' organization. McNair, general manager Charley Casserly and vice chairman Philip Burguieres interviewed him in 2001 for the job Dom Capers eventually landed.

The two additions to the committee this year are consultant Dan Reeves and Cal McNair, the owner's youngest son and a limited partner. Reeves and Kubiak have a long history together, and it's no secret that Reeves is in Kubiak's corner.

Reeves coached Kubiak during Kubiak's nine-year playing career as the Broncos' backup quarterback to John Elway.

Saunders also interviewed for the same job in 2001 and has a reputation around the league for being one of the game's premier offensive coordinators. He is looking for his first head-coaching job since he led the San Diego Chargers from midway through the 1986 season through the 1988 season.

"I'm glad they brought me back," Saunders said. "It's a different team now. There are a lot of coaches coming through here with an opportunity maybe to make a difference in the future."

Saunders, who has also attracted interest from the Minnesota Vikings and his current team, the Chiefs, will be sought as an offensive coordinator if he is not hired as a head coach.

Brown, a 27-year coaching veteran, said he is also entertaining other offers but did not divulge the jobs or the teams involved. He said he would like to stay in Houston and help orchestrate a turnaround.

"I think I have a better feel for what we need to do to become a playoff team than anybody coming in here," Brown said. "I think the players would rally behind me."

The Texans will now await Kubiak's pitch.

Four teams — Houston, Detroit, Kansas City and St. Louis — have requested and received permission to speak with Kubiak. He can only speak to potential employers during the Broncos' bye week. The next chance for teams to speak with him will be after the Broncos are eliminated.

megan.manfull@chron.com