The Denver Broncos are still hot on the trail of their next head coach and, if recent rumors are true, may be setting their sights on one NFL candidate in particular, while another has pulled himself from the running.
Gary Kubiak, current offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens and former head coach of the Houston Texans, is the "top choice" of Broncos GM and executive vice president of football operations, John Elway, according to a report from Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
"If Broncos are able to land Kubiak, he is far and away Elway's top choice from everything I've heard," La Canfora tweeted early Friday.
Elway submitted a request to speak with Kubiak on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. While Ravens officials had said they expect Kubiak to return to the team, they allowed that they would not stand in his way should he show interest in the job.
Meanwhile, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, has removed himself from the running for the Broncos job, ESPN's Josina Anderson reported.
"Source: Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has withdrawn from consideration for the Broncos head coaching vacancy, at this time. He was scheduled to interview Friday."
Kubiak had initially turned down offers to interview for head coaching positions this offseason, but now, according to La Canfora, seems set to sit down with Elway and the rest of the Broncos decision-makers.
"Gary Kubiak will meet with Broncos for their head coaching opening. Interview expected this weekend. Suffice to say Elway very interested."
Kubiak has significant ties to the Denver franchise.
He spent nine years with the organization as a player and 11 as an assistant coach. He remains very close to Elway, whom he backed up, and with whom he roomed.
As the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2006-2013, Kubiak amassed a 61-64 overall record, taking the team to the postseason twice and losing in the Divisional Round each time.
He built a strong base of talent for the expansion Texans and had the team improving on a yearly basis, but the development was slow and Kubiak was never able to create and nurture sustained success.
