Gary Kubiak: NFL Head Coach & Former Quarterback

Gary Kubiak is a respected figure in the National Football League, known for his long-standing contributions as both a player and a coach. Born on August 15, 1961, in Houston, Texas, Kubiak’s football journey began at Texas A&M University, where he was a standout quarterback for the Aggies.

Playing Career

• College: Texas A&M Aggies (1979–1982)
• NFL: Denver Broncos (1983–1991)

Kubiak was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 8th round of the 1983 NFL Draft. Serving primarily as a backup to Hall of Famer John Elway, Kubiak played nine seasons in Denver. While he never started regularly, he was a reliable and trusted member of the team, appearing in 119 games and throwing for 14 touchdowns and over 1,900 yards.

Coaching Career

• Texas A&M (RB Coach): 1992–1993
• San Francisco 49ers (QB Coach): 1994
• Denver Broncos (OC/QB Coach): 1995–2005
• Houston Texans (Head Coach): 2006–2013
• Baltimore Ravens (Offensive Coordinator): 2014
• Denver Broncos (Head Coach): 2015–2016
• Minnesota Vikings (Assistant Head Coach/OC): 2019–2020

Kubiak began his coaching career at his alma mater before moving to the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Super Bowl-winning San Francisco 49ers in
1994. He then served as the Denver Broncos' offensive coordinator for 11 seasons, helping guide the team to back-to-back Super Bowl titles (XXXII & XXXIII) in the late 1990s.

In 2006, Kubiak became the head coach of the Houston Texans, transforming the fledgling franchise into a playoff team and leading them to their first postseason appearance and victories. After his tenure in Houston, he served as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens before returning to Denver as the Broncos' head coach.

The pinnacle of his head coaching career came in 2015, when he led the Denver Broncos to victory in Super Bowl 50, defeating the Carolina Panthers. Kubiak became just the fourth person in NFL history to win a Super Bowl as both a player (as a backup) and a head coach with the same franchise.

Accomplishments & Legacy

• Super Bowl champion (XXXII, XXXIII – as assistant; 50 – as head coach)
• Overall head coaching record: 82–75 (regular season), 5–2 (playoffs)
• Respected for his offensive acumen, particularly in zone-blocking run schemes
• Retired from coaching after the 2020 season due to health considerations

Gary Kubiak is widely admired for his leadership, offensive creativity, and positive influence on players and coaches throughout his decades in football.

Legacy & Career Overview

Gary Kubiak: A Comprehensive Biography

Gary Wayne Kubiak is a renowned figure in the National Football League (NFL), celebrated for his multifaceted career as both a player and a coach. Born on August 15, 1961, in Houston, Texas, Kubiak’s journey through the world of professional football is marked by resilience, intelligence, and a deep-rooted passion for the game. His story, spanning decades, is one of adaptation and achievement—shaping offenses and mentoring some of the best talent the league has seen.

Early Life and College Career

Kubiak attended St. Pius X High School in Houston, where he was a standout in both football and basketball. His prowess on the gridiron earned him a scholarship to Texas A&M University, where he played quarterback from 1979 to
1982. At Texas A&M, Kubiak set several school passing records, finishing his collegiate career with 4,078 passing yards and 31 touchdowns. His intelligence, leadership, and poise in the pocket made him a respected figure on campus and a legitimate NFL prospect.

NFL Playing Career

In the 1983 NFL Draft, Kubiak was selected in the eighth round (197th overall) by the Denver Broncos. Though he was never a full-time starter—spending his entire nine-year playing career (1983–1991) as a backup to Hall of Famer John Elway—Kubiak became a trusted and reliable presence in Denver. He played in 119 games, completing 173 of 298 passes for 1,920 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. His understanding of the game and ability to step in when needed made him a valued member of the Broncos roster.

Coaching Career

After retirement, Kubiak quickly transitioned into coaching. His first NFL coaching role came with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, serving as quarterbacks coach under offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan. That year, the 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX, with Steve Young earning Super Bowl MVP honors—an early highlight for Kubiak’s coaching résumé.

When Mike Shanahan became head coach of the Denver Broncos in 1995, he brought Kubiak along as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Over the next 11 seasons (1995–2005), Kubiak helped craft one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, highlighted by the Broncos’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories in Super Bowl XXXII (1997 season) and Super Bowl XXXIII (1998 season). During his tenure, Denver consistently ranked among the league’s top offenses, and Kubiak developed a reputation for creative play-calling, balanced attacks, and the development of quarterbacks.

Houston Texans: Head Coach Era

In 2006, Kubiak was named the head coach of the Houston Texans, marking a homecoming for the Houston native. Taking over a struggling expansion franchise, Kubiak gradually built the Texans into a playoff contender. Under his leadership (2006–2013), the team achieved its first non-losing season in 2007, first winning season in 2009, and first-ever playoff appearance and victory in the 2011 season. The Texans also captured back-to-back AFC South division titles in 2011 and
2012. Kubiak’s offense flourished with players like quarterback Matt Schaub, receiver Andre Johnson, and running back Arian Foster. He finished his Texans tenure with a 61–64 regular-season record and a 2–2 postseason mark.

Return to Denver and Super Bowl Glory

After a brief stint as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2014—where he revitalized their offense—Kubiak returned to Denver as the Broncos’ head coach in
2015. His first season was a storybook run: Kubiak led the Broncos to a 12–4 regular season, an AFC Championship, and a dominant victory in Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. Notably, Kubiak became the first person in NFL history to win a Super Bowl as both a player and head coach with the same team. Renowned for his calm demeanor and sharp football mind, Kubiak’s leadership was instrumental in guiding an aging Peyton Manning and a suffocating defense to the ultimate prize.

Kubiak coached the Broncos for one more season before stepping down after the 2016 campaign due to health concerns, finishing his Denver head coaching tenure with a 21–11 record, including 3–0 in the postseason.

Later Years and Legacy

Though officially retired from head coaching, Kubiak remained active in the NFL, serving as a senior personnel advisor and later assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (2019–2020). During his time in Minnesota, he helped orchestrate a potent running attack and mentored quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Dalvin Cook.

Throughout his career, Kubiak was lauded for his innovative use of the zone-blocking scheme—an approach that maximized rushing attacks and made stars of running backs. He is known as a “coach’s coach,” respected for his humility, adaptability, and ability to get the best from his players and staff.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• Super Bowl Champion (XXIX - Assistant, XXXII & XXXIII - Assistant, 50 - Head Coach)
• First person to win a Super Bowl as both a player and head coach with the same team (Denver Broncos)
• Back-to-back AFC South division titles with Houston Texans (2011, 2012)
• Over 20 years of NFL coaching experience
• Helped develop multiple Pro Bowl players, including John Elway, Arian Foster, and Andre Johnson

Personal Life

Kubiak is married to Rhonda Kubiak, and the couple has three sons, all of whom have been involved in football. Despite facing health challenges—most notably a mini-stroke suffered during a 2013 game—Kubiak’s resilience and love for football have kept him involved in the sport in various capacities.

Legacy

Gary Kubiak’s influence on modern football is substantial. As a player, coach, mentor, and innovator, he has shaped offensive philosophies and left a lasting mark on every organization he’s touched. His story is one of loyalty, intellect, and a quiet determination to succeed at the highest levels of the game.