DOVE VALLEY, Colo. – John Elway won two Super Bowls as a Denver Broncos quarterback and has built a championship contender as the general manager.

He now hired a coach who knows — and embraces — the culture of high expectations in the organization.

Calling it a homecoming, Gary Kubiak was introduced as the organization’s 15th head coach on Tuesday and said he is on the same page with Elway when it comes to winning.

“This is home to me. This means so much to me,” Kubiak said. “I do understand the expectations of the organization, and that’s why I love it so much. This team is built for one reason and one reason only — to win championship. Those things don’t happen, you make them happen.”

Kubiak spent last year as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator after eight years as the head coach of Houston. He returns to the Broncos, where he served as the backup quarterback to Elway for nine years and the offensive coordinator for 11 seasons. He’s been to six Super Bowls as a player and coordinator – five of those with Denver – so he understands what it takes to get there.

He also knows that’s the only goal in Denver.

“That’s what I want to be a part of that,” he said. “I was part of that the whole time I was here, and in Baltimore. I was part of Houston establishing expectations. That’s the opportunity you want. I see that as a plus. That’s something I welcome.”

Taking over the Broncos is much different than what Kubiak faced in Houston. The Texans were a young franchise when he became the head coach and he built them into a playoff team. The Broncos have won the AFC West four straight years and went to the Super Bowl last year, but the lack of a title prompted a change in coaching.

The idea is to take the next step, but the question is whether Peyton Manning will be the quarterback next season.

The five-time MVP struggled in the second half of the season and the playoff loss to Indianapolis after a strong start to the year. After the 24-13 loss to the Colts he acknowledged he was dealing with a thigh injury suffered in a Dec. 14 win at San Diego.

Manning said before Christmas he was planning on coming back but he pulled back from that stance after another divisional round exit. Elway has said he is giving his quarterback time to make a decision, one that is needed by March 9. Manning, who signed a five-year, $96 million contract in 2012, has two years left on the deal at $19 million per season.

“I’m going to be a listener to Peyton,” Elway said. “I’m going to answer his questions and I hope that will help him make that decision.”

If Manning comes back it will be for a coach whose offensive philosophy is based on zone blocking and play action. For most of his career Manning has run a no-huddle, shotgun offense based on his quick reads.

That might change under Kubiak, who has called plays from the sidelines and plans on being involved in that as the Denver head coach.

Kubiak, who said he talked with Manning briefly on the phone and through text, said Tuesday he would cater his offense to his players. He ran the ball almost 42 percent of the time with Ravens last season.

“We’re going to run the Denver Broncos’ offense, not the Gary Kubiak offense,” he said.

Elway has more work on his plate than just convincing Manning to come back. The Broncos have 17 free agents – five unrestricted – but none bigger than wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas. Both are unrestricted and Elway has said he wants to bring both back.

Money will play a big role in those decisions, but it is likely the Broncos will make Demaryius Thomas the priority with either with a big contract or the franchise tag. That could mean Julius Thomas leaves for more money.

Elway said his biggest selling point is a chance to win in Denver.

“A lot of players want to win a world championship,” Elway said. “We sell ourselves short if we didn’t sell ourselves to win a world championship.”

Elway thinks he’s got the coach to get them there. Kubiak and Elway have known each other for 31 years, they’re good friends and they won two titles together, but they won’t be satisfied if they can’t win more.

“That’s not a guarantee that we’ll get it done,” Elway said. “Our goal to get it done.”