Gary Kubiak

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Lore & Background

The peak of Kubiak's era came during the 2011 season, where his leadership, combined with new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, propelled the Texans to a 10-6 record and the franchise's first AFC South Championship and playoff appearance. Despite debilitating injuries to elite players including wide receiver Andre Johnson, running back Arian Foster, and quarterback Matt Schaub, the Texans, with rookie fifth-round selection T. J. Yates at quarterback, defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 31-10 on January 7, 2012, in the first playoff game in franchise history. Kubiak was named the AFC Coach of the Year by NFL 101 for that season. The 2012 season saw the Texans start 5-0 for the first time and finish a franchise-best 12-4, defeating the Bengals again in the Wild Card Round before falling to the New England Patriots. Kubiak's tenure ended on December 6, 2013, when he was fired with three games remaining, finishing with a 61-64 regular season record and a 2-2 playoff record as the Texans' head coach.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Reliant Stadium was electric on January 7, 2012, as the Texans faced the Cincinnati Bengals in their first-ever playoff game. On the sideline, Gary Kubiak watched as rookie quarterback T. J. Yates, a fifth-round draft pick, led the offense. The team had lost star quarterback Matt Schaub for the season on November 13, 2011, but Kubiak's system, built around a strong running game and a defense transformed by Wade Phillips from 30th overall in 2010 to second overall in 2011, held firm. The Texans won 31-10 in front of a record crowd of 71,725. It was a quiet moment of validation for a coach who had spent years building the franchise into a contender, overcoming a 6-10 season in 2010 by making key changes, including hiring Phillips and signing free agent defensive backs Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning.

Reader's Guide

Kubiak's offensive milestones are defined by the implementation of his version of the West Coast offense, which he later installed as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. During his tenure with the Texans, the offense consistently ranked high in total yards, finishing third in overall yards in 2010. Under his direction, the Texans achieved their first winning season in franchise history in 2009, overcoming a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the New England Patriots 34-27 at Reliant Stadium to finish 9-7. In terms of defensive context, Kubiak's most significant move was hiring Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator on January 5, 2011, after the 2010 defense finished last in passing yards allowed. Phillips turned the defense from 30th overall in 2010 to second overall in 2011, which was crucial to the team's first playoff run. His most significant achievement remains guiding the Texans to their first AFC South Championship and first playoff win in 2011, a milestone achieved despite losing starting quarterback Matt Schaub for the season.

Did You Know?

• Kubiak was a ball boy for beloved former Houston Oilers head coach O.A. 'Bum' Phillips in the 1970s, and later hired Bum's son, Wade Phillips, as his defensive coordinator in 2011.
• Kubiak collapsed at halftime of a game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 3, 2013, and was later diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• The Texans' first playoff win in franchise history on January 7, 2012, was led by rookie fifth-round draft pick T. J. Yates at quarterback.
• Kubiak was named the AFC Coach of the Year by NFL 101 after the 2011 season.
• Kubiak's 2012 Texans team started 5-0 for the first time in franchise history and finished with a franchise-best 12-4 record.