National Football League

Kubiak planning for Kyle Shanahan's departure

Published Jan. 5, 2010 12:53 a.m. ET

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Texans coach Gary Kubiak expects offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to leave the team if his father, Mike Shanahan, becomes coach of the Washington Redskins.

Kubiak worked for the elder Shanahan in Denver for many years. He spoke of Kyle Shanahan's departure as inevitable, even though Jim Zorn was fired as coach of the Redskins only hours before.

``That's part of the business and with Kyle, and nothing's official yet, but obviously it looks like Mike's coming right back in the business here real quick and I know it's something he's always wanted, to work with his son,'' Kubiak said. ``I'd be the same way.''

Kyle Shanahan told KRIV-TV in Houston and the Houston Chronicle that the lure of working with his father would be too enticing to pass up.

``It's going to be very hard to leave because of everything we've accomplished,'' Shanahan said told the newspaper. ``I work with a lot of good people, but I've always wanted to work with my dad. If he comes back, I think the timing will be right.

``When he got fired by Denver last year, I told him when he came back I wanted to work with him, no matter where.''

Kyle Shanahan has worked with Kubiak since he was hired in Houston in 2006 after spending years as Mike Shanahan's offensive coordinator in Denver. Kyle Shanahan started out coaching Houston's receivers before moving to quarterbacks in his second year and becoming offensive coordinator in 2008.

``That's a progression to me of becoming a coordinator and he's handled it very well,'' Kubiak said. ``He has come a long, long way. He's going to be special. I think he'll be a head coach in this league very quickly. Now him and his dad get to go do battle. I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that one.''

Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, who has developed into a prolific passer under Kyle Shanahan's guidance, is disappointed the coach probably will be leaving.

``He's been a big part of what we've been able to do around here,'' said Schaub, who led the NFL in yards passing with 4,770. ``But whenever you're doing good things in this league and in this business, things are going to change. ... I'm just happy he's getting an opportunity to move on and he's going to be a heck of a coach for a number of years.''

The Texans finished fourth in the league in total yards per game with 383.1. Kubiak thinks they can keep the high-powered offense on track with the next coordinator.

``We had a good group so I'll have to start looking in another direction and do what's best for the players and the staff at the same time,'' Kubiak said. ``We'll bring in some more good ones and we'll keep moving the ball.''

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