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5 possible replacements for Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak

By Brad Berreman

Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak during the national anthem before the game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak during the national anthem before the game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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 With Gary Kubiak reportedly set to resign, here are five potential replacements for him as Denver Broncos head coach.

After winning Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos will miss the playoffs this season. They can still finish with a winning record with a win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, but the future of head coach Gary Kubiak is up in the air.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kubiak is likely to step down as Broncos’ head coach after Sunday’s game. Other reports have not been quite so definite, but past health concerns (including a missed game this year) look to be driving the decision and Kubiak said nothing to squash speculation about his future during his media availability on Friday.

If Kubiak does step down, the Broncos instantly become one of the best NFL head coaching opportunities looking toward 2017. A top-level defense should remain intact, and there are pieces in place to foster quick improvement offensively.

Again under the assumption Kubiak does resign, here are five possible replacements for him as Denver Broncos head coach.

5. Wade Phillips

Phillips has been the Broncos’ defensive coordinator for the last two seasons under Kubiak, though he is currently without a contract for 2017. That’s a formality, one way or the other and in Denver or elsewhere, assuming Phillips wants to keep coaching at age-70 next season.

Phillips carries a good reputation as a defensive mind, but he has also had a fair amount of success as an NFL head coach. Over all or part of 12 seasons as a head coach (interim three times), Phillips has a .562 regular season winning percentage (82-64).

Phillips has history with the Broncos, as head coach (1993-1994) and defensive coordinator in the past and now, along with history working under Kubiak dating back to when the two were with the Houston Texans. If John Elway looks internally for Kubiak’s replacement, Phillips may be the guy.

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