Stroke of misfortune leads to Super Bowl for Broncos coach

Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak credits a change in his management style for helping him bounce back from a stroke to the brink of Super Bowl glory.

The 54-year-old's career was hanging by a thread in November 2013 when as coach of the Houston Texans he dramatically collapsed on the sideline during a game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Kubiak was diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack or "mini-stroke", which occurs when blood vessels in the brain suffer a temporary blockage.

Four weeks after that incident, Kubiak was fired by the Texans, paying the price for a 2-11 record.

Kubiak, who during his NFL playing career served as John Elway's quarterback understudy at the Broncos between 1983 and 1991, returned to head coaching when he was signed by Denver last year.

Kubiak, whose team faces the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, said while the health scare had not changed him as a person, it had taught him to alter his approach to management.

"I think after going through that and talking to a lot of doctors there in Houston and those types of things, I think it made me change a little bit as a coach and how I go about things," Kubiak told reporters on Tuesday.

"When I look back, I know exactly why it happened. I know what I was doing and what I was putting myself through (and) trying to do too much.

"I kind of ran myself into the ground a little bit. I've tried to do things different. I mean, I love the work, so I'm going to be up early in the morning working 18 hours, but I've also tried to go about it a little bit of a different way - not try to take on everything myself and understand I've got good people with me. I think it has helped me."

Kubiak has now forged a successful partnership with Broncos legend Elway, the team's executive vice president/general manager.

"I know he's there for me and he knows I have a job to do, but we talk a great deal," Kubiak said.

"I just have great respect for his opinion. He's been there and done that, everything there is to do in this league."

If Denver win on Sunday he will become only the fourth man to win a Super Bowl with a team in his first season as head coach.
Source :AFP