All former A&M star Gary Kubiak needed was a second chance
Gary Kubiak squirms when asked about his stroke two years ago. The Denver Broncos coach continues to downplay his collapse on the sideline in Houston while coaching the Texans, clarifying it as a “mini-stroke” any time reporters ask.
Kubiak remembers a headache and a general ill feeling before halftime of a nationally televised game. He collapsed on the sideline while headed for the locker room, suffering a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A blood clot temporarily blocked an artery, affecting blood flow to the brain.
When I look back, I know exactly why it happened. I know what I was doing and what I was putting myself through [and] trying to do too much.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak on his stroke two years ago.
The American Heart Association calls TIA a “warning stroke,” because it usually causes no permanent damage to the brain.
Nonetheless, Kubiak admits the event changed him. Or, rather, he changed because of it.
“I don’t think it changed me as a person,” he said. “I think after going through that and talking to a lot of doctors there in Houston, and those types of things, I think it made me change a little bit as a coach and how I go about things.
“When I look back, I know exactly why it happened. I know what I was doing and what I was putting myself through [and] trying to do too much. I kind of ran myself into the ground a little bit. I’ve tried to do things different. I love the work, so I’m going to be up early in the morning, working the hours, but I’ve also tried to go about it a little bit of a different way — not try to take on everything myself and understand I’ve got good people with me. I think it has helped me.”
Fired by the Texans after that season, Kubiak worked as an offensive coordinator in Baltimore last season before his good friend John Elway hired him as head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Kubiak’s life seems to be about second chances.
The idea, the goal, is to win a championship. That’s why the decision was made last year to go in a different direction, and Gary’s done a tremendous job.
John Elway on switching coaches last season
“I just feel fortunate that I have gotten another chance,” Kubiak said. “A lot of coaches don’t.”
Kubiak, a quarterback at Texas A&M who got his coaching start as a running backs coach in Aggieland, has become the first head coach to go to the Super Bowl with the same team he went to the Super Bowl with as a player.
Kubiak served as Elway’s backup with the Broncos for three Super Bowl losses. He does, however, have three rings — as an assistant coach for the 49ers’ Super Bowl victory to end the 1994 season and two with the Broncos as offensive coordinator.
“I’ve always had Kub’s back with everything, because I know he knows what it takes to get a championship done,” said tight end Owen Daniels, who followed Kubiak from Houston to Baltimore to Denver. “He’s done it. … He knows the ups and downs. He knows how to handle things. He’s a former player, so he knows how we feel on a daily and weekly basis. He’s got a feel for us.”
The Broncos are only two years removed from a 43-8 loss to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII. But a loss to Indianapolis in the divisional round last year convinced Elway, the general manager, he needed new leadership. Denver parted ways with John Fox, and Elway hired his friend of more than 30 years.
It’s a crazy business. You just keep working, stay true to who you are and try to enjoy it along the way. That’s what I’ve tried to do.
Gary Kubiak on being an NFL head coach
Kubiak, 54, juggled two quarterbacks, handling legend Peyton Manning with extreme care. He struck a delicate balance with a 39-year-old quarterback more comfortable in the shotgun and an offense more suited for under center.
The Broncos ranked only 16th in total offense, but first in total defense under coordinator Wade Phillips. They won home-field advantage, helping them beat Pittsburgh and New England in the postseason to advance to Super Bowl 50.
“This is why we made the decision,” Elway said. “This was the idea — to get better and get past the first round. The idea, the goal is to win a championship. That’s why the decision was made last year to go in a different direction, and Gary’s done a tremendous job.”
Now Kubiak, who is as comfortable in his own coaching shirt as anybody in the NFL, can become only the fourth head coach to win a title in his first season with a team.
“It’s a crazy business,” said Kubiak, who was 63-66 in eight seasons in Houston, including a 2-2 postseason record. “You just keep working, stay true to who you are and try to enjoy it along the way. That’s what I’ve tried to do.”
Charean Williams: 817-390-7760, @NFLCharean
This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 5:41 PM with the headline "All former A&M star Gary Kubiak needed was a second chance."