ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Gary Kubiak began his first press conference as the new head coach of the Denver Broncos by dating himself.
“I don’t know how many years it’s been since I became a part of this organization. Maybe 20, 21, 22,” Kubiak said. “But there was no doubt that when I got off the plane yesterday that I was home.
“This job was a game changer for me.”
In fact, it’s been 20 years since Kubiak first signed on as a player with the Denver Broncos. But who’s counting? After spending nine seasons as a player in Denver, and 11 as an offensive coordinator, Kubiak is back. And he has a repeat mission in mind.
“I’m here for one reason: To win a championship,” Kubiak said. “Fortunately, I was part of the last two. I want to do that again.”
To do so, he’ll team up once again with former-teammate, now general manager John Elway, who said he targeted Kubiak the day after the team and former head coach John Fox mutually agreed to part ways.
“It’s a relationship that we talked about; that everybody knew I had with Gary,” Elway said. “He was definitely on the top of the list.”
After the news conference, FOX31 Denver sports director Nick Griffith sat down with Kubiak to personally explore the relationship he has with Elway and whether he thinks the two can once again be successful.
“John and I have got a lot of work to do, but we’re ready to get to it,” Kubiak told Griffith. “To be able to battle with him every single day, to try to find success is a very rewarding situation.”
But it’s a situation with a great deal of unknowns. And they start with the future of Peyton Manning, who many believe is pondering retirement after 17 years in the NFL.
“We’re going to give Peyton his time,” Kubiak said. “He’s due that.”
The matter of Kubiak’s coaching staff is also up in the air. There have been reports that he will bring on Rick Dennison and Brian Pariani, both former Broncos coaches who joined Kubiak during his tenure as a head coach for the Houston Texans and offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens. Dennison would likely serve as offensive coordinator and Pariani as tight ends coach.
Beyond that, Kubiak said he’s working to fill out the rest of his staff “real quick.” There were further reports on Tuesday that Kubiak may be targeting for Colorado Buff Vance Johnson to be his new defensive coordinator.
There’s also the issue of free agents. In particular, wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, tight end Julius Thomas, offensive lineman Orlando Franklin, defensive lineman Terrance Knighton, linebacker Nate Irving and safety Rahim Moore will all be unrestricted free agents this offseason — free to sign with any team.
Of all the issues he’s now looking to tackle, the free agent issue is one Kubiak feels comfortable leaving to to his old buddy.
“I think John Elway has done a great job of hanging on to his players and keeping this team intact,” Kubiak said.