Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak did what he was hired to do one year ago -- win a championship.
Kubiak was brought in to replace John Fox after the Broncos got knocked out of the playoffs early last year.
Kubiak knew what was expected.
"I understand the expectation of this organization," Kubiak said in 2015. "Each and every year this team is built for one reason and one reason only — and that is to win a championship."
"Gary Kubiak has established a track record of leadership, success and high character during his 30 seasons in the NFL," Elway said. "While there is no question he is a Bronco, what Gary has learned from his other opportunities around the league — especially in his eight seasons as a head coach — will tremendously benefit our organization."
Now Kubiak is the first player to win a Super Bowl with the same team as a player and as a head coach.
Sunday was Kubiak's seventh Super Bowl.
"I can just tell you it was tremendous," Kubiak said the day after. "Obviously winning the football game makes it even better."
"I would also like to say how proud I am here today," Kubiak said. "I have been in the National Football League for 30-plus years in a lot of different categories as a player or as a coach and now as a head coach. To stand here today and to be the head coach of the Denver Broncos, World Champs of Super Bowl 50, represent [Broncos Owner] Pat Bowlen, these players, these coaches, our organization, our city – this is the proudest moment of my career. It means the world to me. I wish Pat was here with me today to do this."
While some might have been surprised at the Broncos win Sunday, Kubiak said the team didn't really do anything differently.
"I just think we stayed true to what we were as a football team," Kubiak said. "We were a great defensive football team all year long. I think (LB) Von (Miller) will be the first one to tell you that the group defensively, the coaches and the players, knew that we needed to finish it off. We needed to do it one more time. That is something that we talked about. I think our football team knew what we were. We knew what our identity was all year long, how we won games – we won a lot of close football games. We played very consistent defense. We consider ourselves a grinding type football team and we got in another game like that yesterday. We hung in there and found a way to get it done. I think it was more about holding true to who we were.”
And Kubiak knows repeating the Broncos back-to-back championship seasons of the late '90s will be tough.
"It’s always a tremendous challenge," Kubiak said. "Anytime you wear that title that following year, it makes it tough, but that’s what this league is all about."
"Our football team, our organization, stand for – the Denver Broncos – stand for success, and Mr. Bolden builds his football team; and [Broncos Executive VP of Football Operations/General Manager] John [Elway] does it that way every year. So, we’ll get back to work. We’re going to enjoy this for a little while, but we’ll get back to work."
"We plan on being right back in there, [being] competitive," Kubiak said. "It’s hard to win, but you’ve got to put on the work, surround yourself with great people, great players and great coaches and go back and battle it again. So, I look forward to being a part of it again."
Kubiak said his defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is a tremendous coach.
"I will tell you, Wade, the job he did, was special," Kubiak said. "He’s been a tremendous coach in this league. He was a hell of a head coach, assistant coach. I gave him a hug at the end of the game. I knew his dad real well. When I was a kid, I worked for his dad. I said, ‘You know how proud your dad would be of you today.’ What a career Wade has had, and I’m just so fortunate that he’s been a part of mine also. So, we’re very proud of Wade and his family.”
Of course, Kubiak was asked about Peyton Manning.
"The job he did this year to make his way back for our football team was the difference in us being a champion or not," Kubiak said. "What he had to go through physically was very difficult, and it was tough on him mentally. But him fighting the battle to get back, getting himself in position to lead our team again the last month, it says so much about him as a person. We all know what type of career he has had as a player, but as a person, it has been tremendous."
Kubiak said the team worked hard in the days leading up to the big game.
"I always told our team, ‘The great teams are really hard on each other, make each other really accountable,’" Kubiak explained. "They did that through the course of the week. I watched them really lock in, especially when we got to Wednesday and worked towards Sunday, they really locked in."
"Our meeting the night before the game was one of the greatest moments of my career to be in a room with that group of guys and to see you felt something special coming. I’m proud of them from that standpoint. They took care of business. They did all year long," Kubiak said.