Courtesy: ABC News
After the Baltimore Ravens hired Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator, it looked like a match made in Heaven.
Kubiak’s offense is centered around the run game and play action, two concepts that have long been the focus of the Baltimore. He is a zone blocking guru, which is important as the Ravens have been shifting towards a that for the past few seasons. As they share similar philosophical views, Kubiak and Offensive Line Coach, Juan Castillo, should have a strong relationship. Assumed to be coming with him is his west coast passing game, a short passing game that fans have long been clamoring for. For too long has the Ravens offense been centered on the deep bomb in the inefficient Air Coryell-esque playbook, installed by Cam Cameron in 2008.
Kubiak has coached several top five running games. His passing offenses have also been elite, as the Texans led the league in passing offense just a few years ago. He wins games; he has three Superbowl rings. He can call a dominant running game and a high flying passing attack. You might say he’s the best offensive coach in the league. Several of his former players have praised the move, including current Ravens, Vonta Leach and Jacoby Jones, as well as free agent offensive tackle, Eric Winston. A match made in Heaven indeed!
But for how long?
Gary Kubiak had a solid eight-year run as head coach of the Houston Texans, although he was fired in the tail end of the 2013 season. Despite a 2-12 record, the offense ranked 11th in total yards. Kubiak’s tenure as Texans head coach was marked by an above average offense and an underwhelming defense. The highlight of his career was a two year period, where the Texans made the playoffs twice, each time ending in the divisional week.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
While Kubiak did only record a mediocre 61-64 overall record as head coach, you can be sure that teams with a head coaching vacancy will come knocking if the Ravens offense explodes in the 2014 season. Former Ravens Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell, whom he is replacing, spent two years on the Ravens offensive staff, after being fired from the Indianapolis Colts Head Coaching position. And now he’s a head coach again, this time for the Detroit Lions. His first stint as the man in charge was up and down; his first season ended in a Superbowl loss, his second in Wildcard round loss, and his third in a dismal 2-14 season.
If Jim Caldwell can find a head coaching job, just weeks after leading a horrible Ravens offense in 2013, one could assume that Kubiak may only be in Baltimore for a season or two. What if the offense explodes and he leaves for a head coaching position? The Ravens would be in the same situation they were in before the hire.
New quarterback coach Rick Dennison could next in line for the position. Dennison served under Kubiak as the Texans offensive coordinator from 2009-2013. What if Kubiak brings Dennison with him as his offensive coordinator? The Ravens could block that move, or Dennison may stay with the Ravens, but there is a possibility that he follow his mentor. The two coaches have had a long relationship and are friends off the field.
Keep an eye on the coaches the Ravens bring in to fill their other coaching vacancies. Whoever fills the void at Wide Receivers Coach, or Running Backs Coach could be next. Even oft-criticized, Castillo could be a candidate.
Kubiak may leave for a head coaching job in a year, and he may take Dennison with him, leaving the Ravens in quite a predicament. The Ravens new offensive coordinator could be gone soon, and the next one could be on the staff within days. Hopefully, the potential offensive coordinator in-waiting can learn a thing or two from Kubiak ,before he has to take the reins.
This is the first article that I’ve seen that hits on this topic well.
We have a big risk here. We have an established head coach who brings in his armada of coaches into the Ravens, supplanting some good coaches (receivers coach for example) who got us to win a Superbowl. I don’t even think it matters if the offense improves whether Kubiak will leave, but rather when, and my bet is in one year. And when he goes, just like he came its likely he will take his armada, just like he negotiated they come in – together. That doesn’t bode well for a Ravens Organization trying to build some continuity in their offense.
The Ravens front office has got to be concerned about that, and maybe they have their own plans with Kubiak to mitigate it that are not being discussed publicly. But after the Chuck Pagano deal leaving after only one year, you got to believe they have a plan.