Denver Broncos general manager John Elway has stated that Gary Kubiak was always the team's first choice, as they searched for a successor to outgoing John Fox.

Kubiak was named in his new role on Tuesday, having previously been employed by the Baltimore Ravens as their offensive coordinator.

Although the franchise did interview their own OC Adam Gase about the vacant position, Elway admitted during Kubiak's first meeting with the press that he was always their number one candidate.

He told reporters: "He was definitely at the top of the list. Yes, we did talk to Adam and we did also have a couple that backed out or wanted to see where the search was going because they knew Gary was the leader in the clubhouse.

"Our concern was: Did Gary want to be head coach again? Did Gary want to be that guy?

"I think that once we got a chance to sit down and talk to him, there was no question in my mind that he wanted to be the head coach of the Denver Broncos."

Kubiak was with the Ravens for only 12 months, having previously been the head coach of the Houston Texans until he was fired in December 2013.