HOUSTON -- It seems only a matter of time until Denver
Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak lands a head coaching job
in the NFL.
The native Texan is frequently on the candidates' list when a
job comes open and he returned home Monday for an interview with
the expansion Houston Texans that could be the most attractive of
all to the former Denver and Texas A&M quarterback.
"This is a no-brainer for me, something I've really looked for
the past two years, so I'm enjoying today," Kubiak said after
talking with owner Bob McNair and general manager Charley Casserly.
"I've been in contact with Mr. (Pat) Bowlen, our owner, about what
was going on and whether Houston would get the opportunity for a
team.
"When they did, as a football coach and a guy coming up in this
business, I was very interested in what was going on. It's been a
long process and something I've really waited on to meet these guys
and see what's going on here at home."
Kubiak played high school football at Houston St. Pius and then
played quarterback at Texas A&M. He spent nine seasons as a backup
to John Elway with the Broncos and has been the team's offensive
coordinator for the past six seasons.
Kubiak interviewed with the Cleveland Browns in 1998, and more
recently with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots. He
also was a finalist for the University of Colorado job before
deciding to stick with the Broncos.
The Browns and Bills are looking for head coaches but
Kubiak said he hadn't been contacted by those teams.
"Not that I know of," he said. "I'll spend a few days here
and visit my family and head back home."
Kubiak was the sixth coach interviewed by the Texans, who begin
play in 2002. Casserly and McNair talked with former Buffalo coach
Wade Phillips on Saturday.
The Texans also have interviewed Ted Cottrell, Phillips'
defensive coordinator at Buffalo; Jacksonville defensive
coordinator Dom Capers, University of Miami coach Butch Davis and
St. Louis assistant head coach Jim Saunders.
"I think I'm trying to let them know that I'm ready to be a
head coach in this league now this situation is very dear to me
simply because it's my home," Kubiak said. "But I want them to
believe in me as a football coach and as a person.
"I'm trying to find all I can about the organization and which
direction they want to head and at the same time let them know I'm
ready to do this at some point and hopefully they'll take a closer
look."
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