DENVER -- Gary Kubiak's name always seems to pop up when a head coaching job opens up in Texas. The rumors are even stronger now that Kubiak's alma mater, Texas A&M, is looking for a new head coach.

Texas A&M appears to be leaning toward Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione after firing R.C. Slocum Monday, but that hasn't stopped the rumors from circling around Denver's offensive coordinator.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he has not been contacted by Texas A&M about getting permission to talk with Kubiak, but added that he had no doubt Kubiak will succeed if he does leave.

"He'd make a great head football coach,'' Shanahan said. "He's a great person. You're looking at an intelligent guy who would go out there and recruit and know he could coach. He's going to get his opportunity someday and whoever gets him will have him for a long time.''

Kubiak has passed up numerous head coaching positions in the past, but his ties to Texas A&M and the fact that his family lives in Houston could be enough to pull him away from Denver.

"I think he'd be great anywhere he goes,'' Broncos quarterback Brian Griese said. "He's a great coach, but more importantly, a great person. And if he decides to go anywhere, I think he'll do a great job.''