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MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Vikings will soon begin searching for their sixth offensive coordinator since 2014.
Gary Kubiak, who has been with the franchise since 2019 and spent last season as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday after 36 seasons as a coach and player.
“I’ve been on the football field most of my life, and now I can’t wait to get away from the game and spend more time with my family and friends,” Kubiak said in a statement. “I sincerely thank the owners and fans of the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great game and for treating me. with my family so well. years.
“I’m going to miss the competition, the planning, the match days and be part of a team. But, more than anything, I’ll cherish the friendships I have made along the way with the players, coaches and staff. . I love the game. Of football and will be his biggest fan ever. “
This is the second time Kubiak has announced his retirement from football in the past four years. Citing health concerns after the 2016 season, Kubiak retired as head coach of the Broncos a year after leading Denver to a Super Bowl 50 championship. He is the only person in NFL history. to have played in the Super Bowl and later won it as a head coach with the same team.
Kubiak returned to the Broncos six months after retiring in 2017 and worked with the Reconnaissance Staff as a Senior Staff Advisor for two seasons. He was hired by Vikings coach Mike Zimmer in 2019 to chair the offense as an adviser and assistant head coach, while Kevin Stefanski called the games up as the offensive coordinator. Once Stefanski was hired as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kubiak took over as coordinator.
“Gary has done a terrific job with us at the Vikings over the past two seasons,” Zimmer said. “I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and as a person, and I’m glad I got to coach him with him. He’s had a hell of a career in the NFL as a player, assistant coach and Head Coach, and I’m really happy for Gary and his wife Rhonda as they head to their ranch. Gary will be missed by all of the Vikings’ organization and we wish him the best. “
In Kubiak’s season as an offensive coordinator, the Vikings finished fourth in all-out offense and 11th in scoring, with quarterback Kirk Cousins rebounding after throwing 10 interceptions in his first six games to complete a campaign 7-9 with a career record 35 touchdowns.
Running back Dalvin Cook was considered MVP as he rushed for a career-high 1,557 yards and 17 total touchdowns, while Justin Jefferson broke the franchise record for catches and yards as a rookie and is second all-time with 1,400 receiving yards in his first season in the NFL. .
According to several league sources, the Vikings plan to promote from within to fill the opening of the offensive coordinator. Kubiak’s son Klint arrived with his father in 2019 as the Vikings quarterback coach and could be in line to take over his father’s job. Klint Kubiak, 33, has never called games in the NFL.
Offensive Line Coach / Race Match Coordinator Rick Dennison and Tight Ends Coach Brian Pariani were also signed with Gary Kubiak in 2019.
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