ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Gary Kubiak was all set to stay in Baltimore, where he’d had a terrific comeback as the Ravens offensive coordinator after getting fired from his head coaching job in Houston the year before.

He turned down opportunities to interview for the head coaching vacancies with the Bears and Jets, and planned a vacation with his wife, Rhonda.

Then, his cellphone buzzed.

It was John Elway.

Cancel the sand and the surf.

Pack the skis instead.

“It was just a game-changer,” Kubiak said Tuesday after being introduced as the 15th head coach of the Denver Broncos, where he spent 13 seasons either backing up Elway at quarterback or drawing up blueprints as his offensive coordinator.

“This place is special for me” Kubiak said.