Gary Kubiak: Being a head coach not for me anymore

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Gary Kubiak was away from coaching for two years after stepping down as the Broncos head coach after the 2016 season due to health issue, but he returned to take a job as an assistant head coach and offensive advisor on Mike Zimmer’s staff in Minnesota this year.

Zimmer called that “probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me” since joining the Vikings and the Vikings offense has shown the desired improvement over last year’s performance. Given Kubiak’s past success as a head coach and his return to working in a coaching capacity, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear of potential interest from teams looking for a head coach this offseason.

Kubiak cut that idea off ahead of time. During a Tuesday press conference, Kubiak said, via Chad Graff of TheAthletic.com, that working as an assistant is “not giving me the itch” to move back to his former post and added “that’s not for me anymore.”

Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski got some head coaching looks this offseason and a strong finish to the year should put him in play again in 2020. That could mean a different title for Kubiak if he’s back in Minnesota, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be fishing for a bigger title bump than that.

20 responses to “Gary Kubiak: Being a head coach not for me anymore

  1. I hope he would be willing to take over as offensive coordinator if Stefanski gets a head coaching job next year. Even that might be more than he wants to take on, though.

  2. Anybody who thinks Stefanski is the offensive coordinator in anything but title is sorely mistaken. They are running Kubiak’s version of the Mike Shanahan offense, and Stefanski is relaying the plays to Cousins. Kubiak is not sitting up in a booth with headphones on checking his email.

  3. I think whatever his health issue is prevents him from working the hours that are needed to be an OC or HC. I’m happy he’s still able to be part of football. He certainly knows how to construct an effective offense. As a Houston fan, I wish him the best.

  4. Re:Well I’m Taller says:
    Obviously you know nothing about the offense. Yes, a vast majority of the offense is Shanahan-related, but I’ve seen a lot of Shurmur’s and Turner’s offense mixed in as well. But, of course it’s going to be modeled a lot after Shanahan’s offense, considering that’s what Kirk Cousins was raised in. But, it’s Stefanski’s offense…it just so happens to be heavily influenced by Kubiak. But Shanahan’s offense never passed it as far downfield as this one has. That’s Turner’s influence.

  5. If Stefanski gets a head coaching job… Gary Kubiak will probably give his son Klint the same roll as offisive coordinator that Stefanski has now. This coaching staff is in good shape if Stefanski gets a HC job.

  6. He just created a new and dramatic position in the NFL. He is able to sit up and see the tendencies of the game without needing to call plays. It worked like a charm Sunday. Wait and see with the number of OC’s on nearly every playoff team getting snagged for HC jobs this is a perfect plan. Kind of like having a GOOD Backup QB, I hope Stefanski looks at how Pat Shurmer has tanked and stay on with Minnesota.

  7. I like Stefanski as a head coach. Brown’s GM John Dorsey will probably pursue Kevin once again this off-season. Stefanski is certainly an up grade over Freddie Kitchens!

  8. I loved the job Gary Kubiak did with Denver’s last Super Bowl winner. Manning was a shell of his former self but managed things properly, the D and running game took care of the rest. The Vikings aren’t as smart and disciplined as that team, but there’s a noticeable difference in Minnesota this year. I was excited and hopeful when he came to Minnesota. Here’s hoping him and Zim have a nice, long, successful (and healthy) run together.

  9. I don’t see the Vikings just letting Kevin to walk away from their team. They could promise the Vikings HC job once Zimmer retires.

  10. fmc651 says:
    November 20, 2019 at 6:35 pm
    I don’t see the Vikings just letting Kevin to walk away from their team. They could promise the Vikings HC job once Zimmer retires.
    ———————————————————
    Zim’s only been here 6 years and there are no signs he is going anywhere anytime soon. I doubt Stefanski is waiting for that if he wants to be a head coach.

    Also azvikefan seems to be a fair-weather fan. The kind that always call for a new coach or new QB every year because they can never appreciate what they have.

  11. Well I’m Taller says:
    November 19, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    Anybody who thinks Stefanski is the offensive coordinator in anything but title is sorely mistaken. They are running Kubiak’s version of the Mike Shanahan offense, and Stefanski is relaying the plays to Cousins. Kubiak is not sitting up in a booth with headphones on checking his email.
    ————————————————-

    So? Its worked for 8 Dubs this year, Many forget Stefanski has been with this organization well going on 14 years. I believe he has learned a thing or two in that time,Stefanski IS the offensive coordinator Kubiak is just an advisor. Bringing him in was a very very smart move. Look for more teams to follow suit in the years to come.Unless you have undisputed evidence and are in the locker room. Stop assuming. Having a former head coach up in the booth and that extra set of eyes in priceless.

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