Gary KubiakThe Houston Texans named former Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak head coach Thursday, but it was a foregone conclusion. Not because the Texans set up the deal with Kubiak two weeks ago but couldn’t announce it until after Denver was eliminated from the NFL playoffs, but that most in Texas knew Kubiak would be a head coach some day.

Kubiak is the latest in a growing generation of former Texas high school players who are rising to the top of pros and colleges. Of course, high schools already are filled with Texas bred coaches.

Kubiak, once quarterback at Houston St. Pius, and Chicago Bear coach Lovie Smith was a star at Big Sandy.

Kubiak always was considered a coach on the rise. His first day as an assistant coach came April 18, 1992 came with the Aggies in College Station.

Kubiak told me with a smile that day: “I had three months to plan this practice. I have less than 24 hours for the next one.”

Texas has produced many great coaches in the past and seems set to do so in the future.

Texans of the Past

Raymond Berry, Paris, Led New England to Super Bowl

Tom Landry, Mission, Led Cowboys to 5 Super Bowls

Forrest Gregg, Sulphur Springs, Led Bengals to Super Bowl

Jimmy Johnson, Port Arthur Jefferson, 2 Super Bowl titles, NCAA champs at Miami

Bum Phillips, Orange, Popular personality hid expertise at XsOs

Honorable mention

Gene Upshaw, Robstown, Former Oakland Raiders coach

Wade Phillips, Orange, Bum’s boy is San Diego’s DC

Jack Pardee, Christoval, All-time 6-man star

Hayden Fry, Odessa, Still has many coaching proteges

Texans of the Present

NFL

Coach, HS, NFL title, Comment

Gary Kubiak, Houston St. Pius, Texans HC, Start of something big?

Lovie Smith, Big Sandy, Chicago HC Brought Bears back to prominence

Mike Singletary, Houston Worthing, SF 49ers assistant on HC path

Jerry Gray, Lubbock Estacado, Buffalo DC, Former UT DB waiting his chance

Wade Wilson, Commerce, Chicago assistant, East Texas State QB next Kubiak?

Colleges

Guy Morriss, Arlington Sam Houston, Baylor, Done wonders with Bears

Turner Gill, FW Arlington Heights, Buffalo, Good coach, risky 1^st assignment

Art Briles, Rule, Houston, Got the Coogs to a bowl

Todd Graham, North Mesquite, Rice, High energy, ambition takes over Owls

Todd Whitten, Kimball, Sam Houston State, Working all his life to be overnight success

Phil Bennett, Marshall, SMU, Mustangs may finally be on way back

Texans of the Future

Mike Haywood, Houston St. Thomas, Notre Dame assistant

Wes Phillips, Orange, Baylor assistant, Bum’s grandson on the rise

Les Koenning, Spring Branch, A&M assistant, Will bounce back from ’05

Trooper Taylor, Cuero, Tennessee’s super recruiter following in Lovie Smith’s steps

Bradley Dale Peveto, Orangefield, LSU DB/Special teams comes from coaching family

Bruce Chambers, Carter, Texas Rec. coordinator/TE 8 years with ’05 national champs

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