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NFL 2015: How will the first-year coaches perform?

By Matt Verderame

Jan 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan speaks during a press conference at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan speaks during a press conference at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2015; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway (left) head coach Gary Kubiak (center) and president Joe Ellis (right) pose for a photo following the press conference at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2015; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway (left) head coach Gary Kubiak (center) and president Joe Ellis (right) pose for a photo following the press conference at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Gary Kubiak – Denver Broncos

Whenever you have Peyton Manning running the show, you are always in a great place as a head coach. Sure, Manning is 39 years old, but he has premium weapons at his disposal in Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas on the outside. Additionally, despite reports that Manning is rapidly becoming obsolete, the future Hall-of-Famer did throw for more than 4,700 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2014.

Kubiak has a plethora of head-coaching experience, being in this position for nine years with the Houston Texans. Over that time, Kubiak twice went to the playoffs and beat the Cincinnati Bengals at home each time before losing in the Divisional Round. Kubiak has a 61-64 coaching record overall.

In Denver, Kubiak is the rare head coach entering a situation in win-now mode. No matter how excited people are about the development of backup quarterback Brock Osweiler, chances are heavily stacked that he’s not going to play like Manning at any point in his career, let along right away. The pressure is on for Kubiak not only to deliver a few playoff wins, but perhaps a Super Bowl.

Kubiak does have a nice staff with him, getting Wade Phillips to sign on as defensive coordinator. With Phillips at the helm, Denver’s defense is going from the 4-3 scheme it played under Jack Del Rio to a 3-4, moving DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller to their natural positions. However, the Broncos might have a difficult time stopping the run without a true nose tackle on the roster.

Regardless, Kubiak has the most talent of any coach stepping into a new job this year. If he fails to make a run deep into the postseason, the pressure will be on from the jump.

Next: Off to the Windy City

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