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| Hilbert athletics photo |
Jim Kubiak, currently a Division II assistant and formerly a player and coach in arena football, has been named the first football coach in Hilbert history.
Hilbert, which announced on Nov. 4 that it was adding football, intends to field a varsity program in the fall of 2020, less than 10 months away.
“I am confident that Jim Kubiak has the experience and vision to successfully lead our football program and build the foundation to compete at the NCAA Division III level,” said college president Michael Brophy. “More importantly, I know Jim has the character and integrity to create a culture that will emphasize respect, honor, and Franciscan values. It is our intention to be an asset to the Western New York community, continuing to foster strong ties to the City of Buffalo and the Southtowns.”
“I am both humbled and honored to have the opportunity to develop the Hilbert football program from the ground up,” Kubiak said. “Perhaps the most exciting aspect will be the chance to serve student-athletes in the WNY region, fulfilling dreams of competing at the collegiate level while earning an outstanding education. It will be our mission to build a culture of championship quality and to set a standard of performance on and off the field, challenging our athletes to reach for all that they can be.”
Kubiak has been a coach and executive at the collegiate level and in the Arena Football League. He served as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Mansfield (2017-18). In the AFL, he spent time with the Georgia Force as director of football operations and the Philadelphia Soul as offensive coordinator.
Kubiak starred in high school in the Buffalo area and went on to play collegiately at Navy where he is the all-time leading passer. He also spent about six years as a professional quarterback, including spending time in five NFL training camps. Kubiak was a member of the N.Y. Jets practice squad and started in two seasons of NFL Europe play. He was an all-star during four AFL seasons, making All-Rookie as a member of the Buffalo Destroyers and All-Pro for Jerry Jones’ Dallas Desperados. Kubiak has broad and diverse experience across three professional football leagues and has shared the quarterback meeting room with players including Peyton Manning, Vinny Testaverde, and Chad Pennington. His football mentors include Bill Polian, Jim McNally, and Tom Telesco.
"Quite simply, Jimmy (Kubiak) is one of the best leaders I have ever been around,” said Telesco, general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers and former teammate of Kubiak. “This is a home run hire for Hilbert College."
Kubiak served and excelled in the United States Navy as a surface warfare officer aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and Qualified Surface Warfare serving as the leader of the bridge watch team as officer of the deck. Upon completion of active duty service and receipt of an honorable discharge, Kubiak partnered with Recruiting District Buffalo as a Naval reservist, providing motivational visits to local high schools to promote Navy programs and core values.
Kubiak spent eight years as the radio analyst for the University at Buffalo football program and runs the Western New York Quarterback Academy to help develop the next generation of quarterbacks. He also analyzes Buffalo Bills quarterback play in a weekly in-depth feature in the Buffalo News. He and his wife, Jennifer Kubiak, have three children, Abby, Anna, and Alaina.