Kubiak is at home running the Texans

As a ball boy for the Houston Oilers more than 25 years ago, Gary Kubiak never thought he would eventually coach the team that replaced them.

But he long vowed that he would return to Houston. Yesterday he did, and was introduced as the second coach of the Houston Texans.

''I always told my mom and dad I would be home someday," he said. ''I think they started not to believe me after a while. But I finally made it back."

Kubiak, who spent the last 11 years as Denver's offensive coordinator, inherits a team that had a league-worst 2-14 record this season, costing Dom Capers his job. Kubiak reportedly signed a five-year deal worth about $10 million.

Though he didn't have much to say about possible draft decisions -- Houston has the first selection -- he said plenty about Houston quarterback David Carr, the top pick in the 2002 draft.

''I'll find a way to make him successful because it's in him," Kubiak said. ''I'm a David Carr fan. I like the skills he has. There is no reason that David shouldn't be a successful quarterback."

Long killed himself

Former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Terry Long committed suicide by drinking antifreeze, a revised death certificate shows, and did not die as a direct result of football-related head injuries. The Allegheny County (Pa.) coroner ruled in September that Long, 45, had died of meningitis . . . The North American Aerospace Defense Command practiced its plan to protect Detroit's Ford Field from an air attack on Super Bowl Sunday, a concern spawned by Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Weather issues will require the drills be repeated next week, officials said.