Kubiak, Young lead class of 2018
Ex-Texans coach, UT great among nine inductees
WACO — Houstonians Gary Kubiak and Vince Young headlined the Texas Sports Hall of Fame’s nine-member class of 2018 that was inducted Saturday night at the Waco Convention Center.
Kubiak and Young excelled as quarterbacks in high school and college before embarking on NFL careers.
Kubiak, who works in the Denver Broncos’ personnel department, starred at St. Pius X and Texas A&M. He has been to seven Super Bowls as a player, assistant coach and head coach and earned four rings.
As Denver’s head coach, Kubiak led the Broncos to a victory over Carolina in Super Bowl 50.
Kubiak got his first head-coaching job with the Texans in 2006 before being fired with three games left in 2013.
“This is such an incredible honor,” Kubiak said. “I’m a Texan, and this means so much to me. This is an impressive group of inductees, and I’m humbled to be part of it.
“Football has taken me a lot of places in my career, and it always brings me home to Texas. Tonight, I feel like I’ve come full circle.
“Being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame has caused me to look back over my career and all the people who have meant so much to me and have helped me get where I am. This is as much for them as it is for me.”
Among Kubiak’s former teammates and players to attend the banquet were John Elway, Case Keenum, Matt Schaub, Owen Daniels, Kevin Walter and Chris Myers.
“To know those guys made the trip means a great deal to me,” Kubiak said. “I’ve been so excited and nervous about this night. I’m just so appreciative to be in the Hall of Fame with the greatest coaches and athletes in our state’s history.”
Kubiak was the Texans’ second head coach, and he led them to their first AFC South title and playoff victory.
“I want to thank Bob and Janice McNair for bringing me home and giving me my first opportunity to be a head coach,” he said. “Being able to do that in Houston meant so much to me.
Young was a star at Madison High School and was voted national player of the year before going to Texas, where he compiled a 30-2 record as a starter.
“I used to sneak into the Astrodome and watch the Oilers and think someday I wanted to be like those guys and to have a chance to play in front of my family and friends,” he said. “To know that I was able to do that and be here tonight is amazing.
“So many great players and coaches have come through Houston. It’s a blessing to be one of them and to be honored like this.”
Young led the Longhorns to the 2005 national chanpionship. Tennessee made him the third overall pick in the 2006 draft, and he was voted NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. In his six seasons, Young made two Pro Bowls.
Kubiak and Young were joined by another Houstonian, the late Yates High School running back Johnny Bailey, Texas Tech coach and athletic director Gerald Myers, Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young, University of Texas swimmer and coach Jill Sterkel, Longhorns basketball player and coach Nell Fortner, Mary Hardin-Baylor football coach Pete Fredenburg and high school basketball coach Cathy Self-Morgan.