Highlights from ‘s speech to announce his retirement from coaching:
GARY KUBIAK
“I came in wearing jeans; I’m going out wearing jeans.”
“I’m retiring from coaching. I’m getting out of coaching, but I have a lot to give. I’m going to find something else to do and I’m going to wake up with that same passion and do that, just like I’ve coached for the last 20-something years. Itap time for me to step away from the coaching field.”
“‘Mr. B’ (Pat Bowlen) is the greatest owner in sports. I had a chance to play for him, coach for him and be a head coach for him. Itap been a big part of my life, a majority of my NFL life. I have such respect for him, for Annabel, his family and his kids. I had a couple of the boys work for me as ball boys. They gave me an opportunity in life that is second to none. I appreciate that so much and I love ‘Mr. B.’”
“To all the players past and present that I’ve had the opportunity to coach and work with; I heard a coach say one time that if you play the game the right way, they can’t pay you enough. I know management doesn’t want to hear me say that. I believe that. I think the players are special. I know that they make a lot of money. They have a lot of notoriety and a lot going on in their lives, but their job is hard.”
“This organization is special. I’ve worked at a few places and this place is special. Itap built to do one thing, itap built to win championships.”
“What John Elway has done for the is unmatched in sports, as a player and as an executive. I want you folks to know one thing, he is so supportive of me. He’s the best in the business to work for and I wish I could continue to do that. Unfortunately, I can’t. John, thanks so much. I love you.”
“To my family: I have three boys and two of them I see every day. Thatap special. I have one of them running all over the country right now. I miss him. They’ve always been so supportive of their dad and I appreciate it.”
“Last, I need to thank my buddy (wife Rhonda Kubiak). She kept me in one piece for a long time. She let me go do what I love to do. I’m coming home. It probably scares the hell out of you (laughs). I’m coming home. I love you.”
JOHN ELWAY, Broncos GM
“I’m happy for Gary because you know how hard it was for him to make that decision because of the people that I’m sure that he was feeling like he was letting down and walking out the door. I know that was a huge, huge deal to Gary. For him to be able to do that, you know that it was time for him to move on. Itap a long season and all of a sudden once the season in over you kind of exhale.”
“Itap with mixed emotions, but in the long run, itap the right thing for Gary. I think thatap the most important thing. When he said, ‘I want to talk to you as a friend,’ Gary personally became the priority. I can’t tell you how many times I thought about putting my boss hat back on and putting my selling process back in there and see what we could do to try to make it work.”
The guy walked into a tough situation two years ago. We’d won four division titles and had been to a . Expectations were high. He came in here and won that Super Bowl last year. This year it was just as tough, if not tougher, to repeat.”
JOE ELLIS, Broncos president and CEO
“What Gary did to come in and watch the job that he did last year with that team was remarkable, really. … Obviously this year was very difficult for him and challenging. I did some begging last week. It didn’t work (laughing). But he’s made the right decision for him and I’m proud of him.”
