It is no coincidence that Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens offense are experiencing one of their most productive seasons ever. The team has benefited from installing Gary Kubiak as their offensive coordinator. Kubiak is the perfect coordinator for Flacco because he actually played the position as a professional. He chose to call the plays from the sidelines rather than be in the press box during games. That is because he wants to be on the sideline to talk to Flacco face to face when he comes off of the field. He understands what is going through the quarterback’s mind and how to make the game easier for him. Flacco has a steadying influence in Kubiak because he is well schooled in the art of playing quarterback.
Kubiak got his start as a coach in the NFL as a quarterback’s coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994 and won a Super Bowl that year. Mike Shanahan was the offensive coordinator for the 49ers high profile offense that was led by future Hall of Fame quarterback, Steve Young in 1994. That resulted in Shanahan being named the head coach of the Denver Broncos in 1995. Shanahan selected Kubiak as his offensive coordinator. Kubiak was able to work with another future hall of fame quarterback in John Elway.
Becoming the Broncos offensive coordinator gave Kubiak the opportunity to coach the player that he once was a backup to. The combination of Elway at quarterback and Kubiak at offensive coordinator helped the Broncos win two Super Bowls. One of the wrinkles that Kubiak found in Denver was the refined zone blocking scheme that became one of the best rushing offenses. The success that he achieved in Denver didn’t go unnoticed.
In 2006, Kubiak became the head coach of his hometown team, the Houston Texans. His coaching career came full circle. Kubiak’s first job as a coach was at his alma mater, Texas A&M. He coached the running backs there. His experience with quarterbacks and running backs helped him put together one of the most productive offenses over his 7.5 years in Houston.
Arian Foster and Matt Schaub both achieved career years under Kubiak in Houston. Neither were marquee names before Kubiak got his hands on them. Foster was a rookie free agent and Schaub was a backup to Michael Vick on the Atlanta Falcons. In 2011, Kubiak was named the KC 101 AFC Coach of the Year. The water was not always smooth for Kubiak. Unfortunately, the one thing that Kubiak couldn’t do in Houston was win a Super Bowl. The Texans were able to win a few playoff games but ultimately, not reaching the Super Bowl caused the organization to sour on Kubiak.
The 2013 season was a nightmare for Kubiak and the Texans. Matt Schaub set an NFL record with four consecutive games throwing an interception that was returned to a touchdown. T.J. Yates extended that total by having his own interception returned for a touchdown which extended the streak to five games. The stress had taken a toll on the head coach.
The Texans hosted the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football on November 3, 2013. Kubiak collapsed as he walked off of the field at halftime. Initially, the collapse was said to be the result of a heart attack. He was put on a stretcher and taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. The collapse was diagnosed as a result of a lesser form of a stroke. He missed a week while being treated, but was fired soon thereafter.
As they say, “one man’s loss is another man’s treasure.” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had reached out to Rick Dennison about the possibility of becoming the new offensive coordinator once Jim Caldwell left the Ravens to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions. Dennsion was Kubiak’s offensive coordinator in Houston. He asked Harbaugh if he was interested in Kubiak. The decision to bring in Kubiak was a no brainer for Harbaugh.
Kubiak could have sat at home for a season and still collected a check from the Texans. He was under contract through this season. Being away from the game reignited his passion for football. “It makes you appreciate your opportunity to be in the league.” Kubiak continued; “You sit at home and watch for a few weeks and they say you can’t come to work. I love the game, I love to teach, I love to be part of teams, I love to be part of staff’s and be part of organizations. I wanted to come to work.”
Harabugh gave a glowing endorsement of Kubiak during training camp. He said; “I love the way he coaches. I love the way he says things. He’s very direct, very black and white. He explains very clearly what he expects.”
The black and white explanation is one of the things that has helped the relationship between Kubiak and Flacco get off to a great start. Flacco said that’s what he wants. “He’s very tough on the quarterbacks. He expects us to do everything perfect in practice so you give yourself the best shot of doing that in the game.” Flacco continued; “I’m a guy that likes to run the offense the way that it’s supposed to be ran. I want what I’m supposed to do to be black or white. When you tell me that, I expect myself to go out there and do it that way.”
Justin Forsett has set career highs in rushing touchdowns (five) and rushing yards (721) under Kubiak this year despite having only completed the tenth game of the season. He played for Kubiak in Houston in 2012 but this season has been a golden opportunity for Forsett to prove that he belongs. Owen Daniels is one of the main players that Kubiak took with him to Baltimore. He has noticed a difference in Kubiak the offensive coordinator as opposed to the coach.
“I can tell he’s a lot more relaxed. I never realized how good of a teacher he was. Being a head coach, you oversee a lot of things, you’re not as hands on. Now I can see him as a teacher in meeting rooms, installing the offense, on the practice field really coaching the guys up. He’s a fantastic teacher.” Daniels said.
Kubiak’s football influence has extended to his sons. He and his wife Rhonda have three sons: Klint, Klay and Klein. Klint followed in his father’s footsteps and broke into coaching with Texas A&M as a quality control assistant and moved on to the same role with the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. Klay served as the quarterbacks coach at Colorado State from 2005 – 2009. Klein played wide receiver for Rice University.
The Ravens are in great shape with Gary Kubiak at the controls of the offense for years to come. So far they have achieved the balanced attack that has become a Kubiak trademark. They are ranked 11th in the NFL in total offense, averaging 364.8 yards per game. The rushing attack is averaging 124.1 yards per game which is ninth in the NFL while the passing attack 14th in the NFL with an average of 240.7 yards per game. It is clear that Gary Kubiak is back in his groove as offensive coordinator and the Ravens only stand to benefit from having him.
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