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Gary Kubiak is the new head coach of Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos. The NFL team announced today that the former Houston Texans head coach will take over from the recently departed John Fox, who was fired by Broncos General Manager John Elway after a disappointing first-game playoff exit at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts last week. After leaving the Texans in 2013 — where he finished 61-64 — Kubiak spent last season as the Offensive Coordinator for Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens, and only a week ago was saying that he would stay with the Ravens.
Broncos officially agree to terms on 4-year contract with Gary Kubiak to become team's new head coach. pic.twitter.com/JPa1khxiGN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 19, 2015
ESPN's Adam Schefter announced the news this morning, tweeting:
Gary Kubiak has agreed to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2015
And according to @MikeKlis, Gary Kubiak will sign a four-year deal with the Broncos. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2015
As NFL.com's Kevin Patra reports, "John Elway believed he needed a new coach to get the Denver Broncos to the "next level." The executive vice president trusts his former backup quarterback to take them to that promised land," and signed him to a four year deal.
.@Broncos announce Gary Kubiak as head coach: https://t.co/R5k0PAeiSJ pic.twitter.com/jkFixi5dQE — NFL (@nfl) January 19, 2015
As Patra points out, "Kubiak spent his entire nine-year playing career as a backup quarterback to Elway in Denver."
According to the NFL.com report, for the eight seasons Kubiak was head coach in Houston, he ended with a 61-64 regular-season record, and only finished above .500 three times.
Gary Kubiak agrees to become Broncos coach. He coached Texans to two playoff berths in eight seasons
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 19, 2015
But the move might not necessarily prove a good one for the Broncos... at least as long as Peyton Manning is at quarterback. As NFL.com's Marc Sessler points out, "Kubiak runs an air attack that leans heavily on play-action bootleg passes. On the surface, his playbook doesn't mesh well with Manning's limited mobility."
Sessler adds "If Manning suits up for his age-39 campaign, his first order of business is finding a comfortable middle ground with Kubiak. Younger players have no choice but to win over the new coach, but is Manning prepared to start all over again?"
Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke and Doug Farrar say the move gets a B, as "How Kubiak's scheme will translate to the current Broncos' roster really begins at the quarterback spot, with the future of Peyton Manning."
But, as they point out,"Where Kubiak's style should fit well, as usual, is on the ground. The Broncos employ a relatively athletic offensive line, in front of a loaded RB corps featuring C.J. Anderson, Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman."
What do you think? Is Kubiak a good hire for Denver? Would Doug Marrone have been a better fit?
