Gary Kubiak will not coach Houston Texans against Arizona Cardinals
Nov 6, 2013, 4:49 PM | Updated: 4:49 pm
When the Houston Texans take on the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, they will do so without head coach Gary Kubiak on the sideline, the team announced Wednesday.
Kubiak suffered what has been called a “mini-stroke” at halftime of the team’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Kubiak, who collapsed to the ground, was taken off the field on a stretcher and brought to a Houston-area hospital, where tests were run and a diagnosis was made. The coach was released from the hospital Tuesday, but is not ready to return to work.
Wade Phillips, the team’s defensive coordinator, will assume the role of head coach on an interim basis for the Texans. The 66-year-old has been an NFL head coach before, compiling an 82-61 record during stints with the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys.
“It affects the game,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Monday, before he knew Kubiak was ruled out and Phillips was taking over. “Any time you have a disruption like that it affects your football team.”
Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, who took over Kubiak’s play-calling duties Sunday, will likely keep the role against the Cardinals.
Kubiak has been the Texans’ head coach since 2006, and has guided the team to a 61-58 record. The team made the playoffs each of the last two seasons, and was a favorite to reach the Super Bowl this season before injuries and ineffective quarterback play derailed those hopes.
