Sports

Gary Kubiak Hired as Denver Broncos Head Coach

Published

11 years ago

January 20, 2015

This Sept. 30, 2012, file photo shows Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak waving a red flag to challenge a first down call in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Pro Football Writer

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — John Elway and Gary Kubiak are back together drawing up blueprints for the Denver Broncos to get back to the Super Bowl.

Elway hired Kubiak on Monday, inking his former backup QB and offensive coordinator to a four-year contract. Kubiak replaces John Fox, who was ousted last week following Denver’s stunning loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional playoffs.

“Having coached on three Super Bowl teams and 11 playoff teams, Gary knows what it will take to deliver another world championship” to Denver, Elway said in a statement.

Fox went 49-22, counting playoffs, in four seasons in Denver, where he won four AFC West titles. But Elway didn’t like the lack of fire the team displayed in its biggest games, including a 35-point loss in last year’s Super Bowl and a 24-13 loss at home as a heavy favorite two weeks ago.

Fox was hired as the Chicago Bears’ new coach on Friday.

Kubiak and his staff are expected to bring a discipline and toughness that Elway deemed was lacking in Denver, where a talent-laden roster that featured an NFL-high 10 Pro Bowlers lost at home in the playoffs after a bye for the second time in three years.

In each of the past two seasons, Elway, the team’s general manager and executive vice president, found it necessary to address the players himself following particularly bad performances, something the head coach usually handles.

In Kubiak, Elway brings back a man who went down the championship trails with him in the 1990s.

Kubiak’s relationship with Elway includes nine seasons as his backup QB, from 1983-91, and four seasons as his offensive coordinator.

After winning his first Super Bowl ring as the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterbacks coach in 1994, he returned to Denver on Mike Shanahan’s staff and helped draw up the blueprint for the Broncos’ two Super Bowl championships following the 1997 and ’98 seasons.

Altogether, Kubiak spent 11 seasons as Shanahan’s top offensive assistant before leaving in 2006 to coach the Houston Texans. He went 63-66, counting 2-2 in the playoffs, in eight seasons in Houston.

“Gary Kubiak has established a track record of leadership, success and high character during his 30 seasons in the NFL,” Elway said in a statement. “While there is no question he is a Bronco, what Gary has learned from his other opportunities around the league, especially in his eight seasons as a head coach, will tremendously benefit our organization.”

As Denver’s offensive coordinator from 1995-2005, Kubiak helped the Broncos lead the league in scoring (25.2 points per game), total yards (365 yards per game) and rushing (142.2-yard average) over that span. He also coached the team’s quarterbacks for eight of those seasons (1995-02), including a four-year period from 1995-98 in which Elway ranked second in the NFL in touchdown passes (101) and fourth in yards passing (13,739).

“Gary has been part of the Broncos’ family for two decades and has proven himself as a highly successful head coach and assistant coach around the NFL,” Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said.

“From his time in Denver, he completely understands — and has contributed to — the culture of winning that has been established throughout Pat Bowlen’s ownership. Gary also respects what the Broncos mean to this community and the special connection this team has with its fans.”

Although Kubiak, 53, gets a second chance as a head coach in Denver, his comeback actually began in Baltimore last season.

Under Kubiak, the Ravens improved from 30th in the league in rushing to eighth and Joe Flacco’s sacks dropped from 48 to 19. Flacco also set career highs in yards passing (3,986) and TD passes (27) and running back Justin Forsett’s breakout season earned him his first Pro Bowl berth.

Earlier this month, Kubiak bypassed chances to interview for the head coaching vacancies with the Bears and the Jets, saying he was happy in Baltimore.

That was before his dream job opened up.

Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith tweeted his congratulations and asked, “How can you be mad at a guy who did his job and was rewarded with dream opportunity that WASN’T available when he said he was staying?”

“From all I’m hearing, he’ll be a great hire,” Broncos star cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said.

Kubiak takes over a team that may or may not have Peyton Manning under center in 2015. The five-time MVP is mulling his future after a promising season turned sour down the stretch and ended unexpectedly.

Elway asked Manning not to make a rash decision and said he won’t need an answer for a few weeks. Manning, who turns 39 in March, is due $19 million each of the next two seasons.

Manning pulled out of next week’s Pro Bowl because a strained right thigh hasn’t gotten much better since his season ended.

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

1 week ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.