yahoo
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — For the Kubiak brothers, blood may be thicker than water, but football takes precedence this week. Klint Kubiak, head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and his brother Klay Kubiak, offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, have mutually decided to steer clear of each other until their teams clash on Sunday.
"I think we kind of avoid each other," Klint Kubiak admitted. "Talk after the game."
The siblings were raised in a football-centric environment. Their father, Gary Kubiak, served as a backup quarterback to Hall of Famer John Elway with the Denver Broncos from 1983 to 1991, and later became head coach of the Houston Texans (2006–2013) and the Broncos (2015–2016). It was almost inevitable that Klint and Klay would pursue careers in the family business. Both attended Colorado State University—Klay as a quarterback and Klint as a safety—and they even served on the same 49ers coaching staff in 2023, with Klint as pass game coordinator and Klay as assistant quarterbacks coach.
"It was just so great reconnecting with him and seeing the type of husband that he was and seeing how hard he worked and how smart he was, things that I already knew," Klint Kubiak reflected. "But when you're kind of in the fire with your brother every day, it definitely builds a closer bond."
That 2023 49ers team advanced to the Super Bowl before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime at Allegiant Stadium—the Raiders' home venue. "Just to get to go through a whole year with him, to learn from him, to see how he works, to see how he looks at the game, I learned so much from him," Klay Kubiak said. "And then to just get to share that experience of going through the grind of a season together and going to the playoffs and a Super Bowl run, it was amazing. I would love to get that chance again someday to work with him again. It was pretty cool."
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy credited Klint Kubiak with leaving a lasting impact, noting that many of his sayings are still used in the quarterback room. "Obviously love who he is as a person and the way he came about work every single day, both him and Klay," Purdy said. "I'm extremely blessed to be able to have been coached by both of them. I'm really happy for him and for the position that he's in. I want nothing but the best for Klint. He was always real with me. He coached me up well, and so I'm really just happy for him. Love him to death."
Key Analysis
The Kubiak brothers' decision to avoid communication until after Sunday's game underscores the professional boundaries they maintain despite their close relationship. Their shared history—from growing up in a coaching household to working together on the 49ers' Super Bowl run—adds a layer of intrigue to the matchup. While family ties run deep, the competitive nature of the NFL demands focus, and both coaches are prioritizing their respective teams' preparations. The game will serve as a reunion of sorts, but only after the final whistle.
Originally reported by yahoo.