5 candidates to replace Mike Zimmer as Vikings head coach

4. Gary Kubiak, Vikings Offensive Coordinator

Vikings ownership has made an in-season coaching change before, firing Brad Childress in 2010 with a 3-7 record not long after giving him a contract extension. But that was under different circumstances, as Childress had final say over the 53-man roster and Zimmer doesn’t.

But if an in-season change were made, Kubiak is the only viable candidate to take over on Zimmer’s staff. Yes the offense has mostly been dreadful so far this season, but he has had some success as a head coach, including a Super Bowl win with the Denver Broncos.

Health concerns led to Kubiak’s departure as head coach of both the Houston Texans and the Broncos. The stress of the job is real, and Kubiak might just be comfortable in the background as offensive coordinator with full reign over that side of the ball. He might be willing to become interim head coach for the Vikings, but nothing more knowing Zimmer’s coaching staff will all be gone after the season.

But if Kubiak wanted to be a full-time head coach again, he certainly has the credibility to assemble a coaching staff that would allow him to operate as more of a CE0-type. He’d certainly still have his hands in the offense, but in a broader, game plan sense more than as the play-caller on game day.

If Zimmer is fired, in-season or not, the Vikings brass will have to consider Kubiak as the permanent replacement. His candidacy would be driven by his desire to take the job, or lack thereof.