DENVER — Gary Kubiak recently decided to retire from coaching the Bronco’s football team. Kubiak, who is 55,  informed his coaches and player of his decision during christmas weekend. He thanked everyone for all of their work, time, and support, letting them know he was proud of their accomplishments.

A main factor in this decision was due to some past health issues. On Oct. 9, 2016, he said he had a “complex migraine” following a loss to the Falcons. After that incident, he missed a week of work. Three years prior to this, during his time being head coach of the Houston Texans, a mini-stroke caused him to collapse during half time. These happenings were not the only reason he left. Kubiak said to the coaches and players, that he could no longer handle pressure of the games the way he used to. Coaching his usual way became too difficult.

“It was a struggle for me throughout the course of the year, just keeping up with the things that I normally do and the way I want to do them and handling situations on a daily basis,” Kubiak said to the Bronco’s Eaglewood headquarters. “It was not one incident, but I am listening to the last few years.”

During his goodbye to everyone, he thanked the team’s owner, Pat Bowlen, his wife, his three sons, and praised the coaches and players. He tried to fight back tears and regain his composure as he spoke. Kubiak did say he could not go halfway as a coach, and that he did try when he changed his usual routine and dialed down a bit. But to no avail and his efforts were short lived.

Seeing everyone’s concern, Kubiak reassured the crowd, “Let me just say this: I’m doing great. I’m okay, but coaching is a very demanding business, a tough business,” Kubiak said. “I’ve always prided myself — I’ve been a head coach for 10 years and each of us as coaches, they can sit up here and they can probably tell you the same thing. We all have a routine. We all have a way of going about doing things, and I’ve had my routine for a long time… But this year I haven’t been able to do that. It’s been tough. And for the first time, I’ve had to tell myself you can’t do that anymore.”

Kubiak ended his speech telling everyone not to worry about him. He let them know that there is a lot to do in life, and he will find a new passion to pursue. The team, coaches and staff said their last goodbye to Kubiak wishing him their best and he set off after taking the last of the questions from the crowd.