ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak will interview for the Broncos’ coaching vacancy on Sunday. He’s the current offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. The team announced Friday he would be talking to the Broncos on its website.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports said Kubiak will interview this weekend with Broncos general manager John Elway and that Kubiak is the front-runner to replace John Fox, who mutually severed ties with the team Monday.
Gary Kubiak will meet with Broncos for their head coaching opening. Interview expected this weekend. Suffice to say Elway very interested
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 16, 2015
If Broncos are able to land Kubiak, he is far and away Elway's top choice from everything I've heard.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 16, 2015
Kubiak is a former player and coach for the Broncos. He was a backup to Elway from 1983 to 1991, then was offensive coordinator when the Broncos won the Super Bowl in the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
Kubiak left the Broncos after the 2005 season to become coach of the Houston Texans. He led the Texans from 2006 to 2013, including playoff appearances in 2011 and 2012. He was fired midway through a dreadful 2013 season, during which he collapsed at halftime of a game after suffering what was loosely defined as a mini-stroke.
He returned to be offensive coordinator of the Ravens this season, helping Baltimore to a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers before a 35-31 loss to the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional playoff game last weekend.
Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase interviewed with the Broncos to replace Fox on Thursday after not landing the job to be the next coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Thursday night the Broncos plan to interview Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach and former University of Colorado player Vance Joseph on Friday.
Joseph has also had coaching positions with the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.
#Broncos are interviewing a wildcard: #Bengals DBs coach Vance Joseph. Played at CU. Coordinator prospect for many, HC prospect for Broncos
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2015
Joseph was a backup quarterback for the Buffaloes in 1990 and 1991 and in 1993 before switching to defensive back in 1994.
He played two years as a defensive back in the NFL before breaking into the coaching ranks with CU. He became a defensive backs coach for the 49ers in 2005.
Joseph was on Kubiak’s staff in Houston and if Kubiak lands the top job, he might bring in Joseph to be the Broncos’ defensive coordinator.
Another candidate, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, withdrew his name from consideration, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported.
Source: Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has withdrawn from consideration for the Broncos head (cont) http://t.co/iQXs5MAiMF
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 16, 2015
Austin also interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and the 49ers. He had a second interview with the Falcons on Thursday.
Doug Marrone, formerly of the Buffalo Bills, was scheduled to interview with the Broncos Saturday. He canceled as well.
Fox, meanwhile, was named head coach of the Bears Friday.
Fox and the Broncos mutually agreed to go separate ways Monday, one day after the team lost at home to the Indianapolis Colts, 24-13, in an AFC Divisional playoff game.
It was the second time in three years the team lost at home in the playoffs while coming off a bye. Last season, Fox guided the Broncos to the Super Bowl, where they were humiliated, 43-8, by the Seattle Seahawks.
Fox won four straight AFC West titles while in Denver, but was only 3-4 in the playoffs.