There’s no doubt Gary Kubiak is the guy.
The fact he’s the new head coach of the Denver Broncos is not a surprise. This has been in the works since 1983 when he was drafted by the team as a quarterback. It took another step when he became the team’s offensive coordinator.
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There’s the ties to former teammate, roommate and friend John Elway. There’s the fact Denver is Kubiak’s home. He knows what Broncos Country is all about and what the team means to the city, state and region.
But that doesn’t answer the question: Why is Kubiak the guy? Why will this work?
Those factors listed above are nice storylines. They add to the drama and human element – something that Broncos Country is all about. But it’s only a piece of the puzzle.
Kubiak is a winner, and he knows how to win. He’s won as a member of the Broncos, and knows how to win in Denver.
That’s why this works. If he had one or the other, it wouldn’t work. The fact Kubiak has all of it makes this the right fit.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In his 31 years in the NFL as a player or coach, Kubiak has been part of 17 playoff teams, 12 division titles, eight conference championship games, six Super Bowls and three Super Bowl wins. He’s a winner. He’s a Super Bowl winner. You either have that pedigree or you don’t.
Kubiak also is a Broncos Super Bowl winner. If you’re still of the failed belief he didn’t win as the Houston Texans head coach, chew on this from longtime Houston Chronicle NFL reporter John McClain: Kubiak took a 2-14 team with little talent and went 6-10. Throw out his first and last season records and he was 55-44 over six years with two division titles.
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If that’s not enough, look at the guys who had success in their second cracks as a NFL head coach: Bill Belichick, Jon Gruden, Tony Dungy, Tom Coughlin, Pete Carroll, Dick Vermeil and Mike Shanahan. All coaches who won Super Bowls in their second job.
That doesn’t mean Kubiak will win a Super Bowl. That doesn’t guarantee the Broncos success. But given all of the factors listed earlier, tied in with the fact that all of his experiences in his NFL life put the odds pretty high.
There’s one other factor in this: Kubiak is a Bronco. He’s not Elway, but it means a lot that Kubiak cares as much about this franchise as Elway does.
When you add it all up, that’s why he’s the 15th head coach in Broncos’ history. That’s why Elway had to have him in this role.
That’s why Kubiak is the guy.
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Sep 9, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports