Kubiak to Stay With Broncos

L.A. Times Archives

Jan. 19, 1999 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

After a few sleepless nights, Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak rejected an offer Monday to become coach at Colorado.

Saying he was “not good at doing two things,” Kubiak said the past five days--during which he was preparing the Broncos for the AFC championship game against the New York Jets while at the same time being courted for the Colorado job--were unbearable.

On Sunday, after Denver’s 23-10 victory, Kubiak said he planned to decide “within 24 to 48 hours” whether to accept the Colorado job, but that regardless he would remain with the Broncos through the Super Bowl on Jan. 31.

About 12 hours later, he rejected the Colorado offer.

“I’m here today not to give the answer everybody thought I was going to give, but I’m here to give the answer from my heart,” an emotional Kubiak said Monday. “I’ve thought extremely hard about everything. I’m positive I’m doing the right thing, for me and for the University of Colorado.

“I couldn’t go through another day thinking about the next game plan and wondering what I’m going to be doing two weeks from now. I’ve got to think about one job.”

Minnesota’s 30-27 loss to Atlanta in Sunday’s NFC championship game cleared the way for Minnesota offensive coordinator Brian Billick to interview for the Ravens’ head coaching vacancy. Billick planned to meet with Raven owner Art Modell today.

“This thing could happen at any time,” Billick said. “I think they have all the information they need. I certainly have all the information I need about the organization.”

The Ravens weren’t allowed to meet with Billick until the Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs.

Brad Johnson said he hopes the Vikings trade him if he won’t be their starting quarterback in 1999.

“If there’s something available and it’s a good situation for the Vikings first--because that’s the way it’ll be decided, the Vikings first and me second--then I’m open to that,” Johnson said. “If it’s a situation where I can hopefully have that chance as a starter, then I’m all for it.”

The Super Bowl may prove to be a super bust for South Florida, a new study suggests, contradicting the notion that the NFL’s premier event generates hundreds of millions of dollars for the host city.

A look at six Super Bowls dating to 1979--three in Miami, two in Tampa, Fla., one in Phoenix--found no increase in sales revenue over previous years without the big game, said Philip Porter, author of the study.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Super Bowl XXXIII

NFL Playoffs

First Round

Jacksonville: 25

New England: 10

Miami: 24

Buffalo: 17

Divisional

N.Y. Jets: 34

Jacksonville: 24

Denver: 38