Gary Kubiak and Ron Rivera Selected as Head Coaches for the 2025 Polynesian Bowl

(July 18, 2024) - The Polynesian Bowl announced today that Gary Kubiak and Ron Rivera have been selected as head coaches for the 2025 Polynesian Bowl. The Polynesian Bowl is an annual all-star game featuring 100 of the nation’s top ranked junior and senior high school football players to be broadcast live and in PRIMETIME on NFL Network on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET (4:00 PM HT). The game will be played at Kūnuiākea Stadium on the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus.

Coaches Kubiak (Denver Broncos) and Rivera (Carolina Panthers) also faced each other as head coaches in Super Bowl 50.

Gary Kubiak will serve as Head Coach for Team Makai (Hawaiian word for ocean). Kubiak served as Head Coach of the Houston Texans (2006-2013) and the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos (2015-2016). He has also served as offensive coordinator for the Broncos (1995 to 2005) and Baltimore Ravens (2014), also winning three Super Bowls (XXIX, XXXII, XXXIII).

“I am thrilled to serve as a head coach for the 2025 Polynesian Bowl,” said Gary Kubiak. “What an amazing opportunity to coach tomorrow’s NFL stars in paradise!”

Ron Rivera will serve as the Head Coach for Team Mauka (Hawaiian word for mountain). Rivera served as the Head Coach for the Washington Commanders (2020-2023) and Carolina Panthers (2011-2019). He also served as defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears (2004-2006) and San Diego Chargers (2008-2010). He is a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year (2013, 2015).

"It’s an incredible honor to coach the nation’s top high school football players at the Polynesian Bowl,” said Ron Rivera. “This is a wonderful way to celebrate culture and play the game we love.”

Past Polynesian Bowl head coaches include Frank Beamer (2020), Mike Bellotti (2019), Romeo Crennel (2023), Terry Donahue (2018), June Jones (2017), Marvin Lewis (2024), Mark Richt (2023), Steve Spurrier (2020), Dick Tomey (2017), Dick Vermeil (2018), Doug Williams (2022), Mike Zimmer (2024), and Jim Zorn (2019).

About the Polynesian Bowl: The Polynesian Bowl is a premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation’s top-ranked high school juniors and seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, and Nico Iamaleava. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com

About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa. There are currently 44 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.