When the Broncos made Gary Kubiak their head coach, one of the first questions was whether his system, the West Coast, zone-blocking, run-oriented offense, would fit Peyton Manning, a pocket-passing quarterback.

Kubiak’s numbers say a lot: Twenty-one seasons as an NFL head or assistant coach, 29 players selected 57 times for the Pro Bowl, three Super Bowl titles.

But his former players have said more. From San Francisco to Denver to Houston to Baltimore and back to the Mile High City, he has developed a following. Players want to play for him.

Throughout the offseason, many former NFL players who played under Kubiak or in the West Coast system weighed in on the Broncos’ coaching change and the team’s 2015 prospects.

“I think this team will be positioned, once again, to make a run at the Super Bowl,” said Ed McCaffrey, the former wide receiver who won three Super Bowl titles with Kubiak by his side, with the 49ers and the Broncos. “The biggest challenge offensively is to create a hybrid offense that works for Peyton and accomplishes the short- and long-term goals of Gary and the Broncos. They have the talent, they have the coaching, but it takes time and repetition.”

Former offensive lineman Chris Kuper, who retired in 2013, didn’t play for Kubiak. But he spent the first three seasons of his pro career in Mike Shanahan’s West Coast offense after the Broncos drafted him in 2006.

The loss of veteran left tackle Ryan Clady to injury has put the spotlight on the Broncos’ young offensive line. But Kuper said the zone-blocking scheme might work in its favor.

“Inexperience is definitely something you have to weather, but it happens to everybody,” he said. “It was harder for me to transition into more of the power stuff with the bigger guys. I would have loved to have been here and gone back to this system.”

Joel Dreessen, a former Colorado State tight end who spent five seasons (2007-2011) with Kubiak in Houston, was a Kubiak advocate before the Broncos hired him. And his belief in the coach hasn’t wavered.

“I think he’s just a great leader, great football mind, great head coach,” Dreessen said. “Excited for those guys to feel what it’s like to play for someone who genuinely wants them to succeed and have fun and do well.”

And Rod Smith, the Broncos’ Ring of Fame and franchise record-setting receiver, concurred.

“My career wouldn’t have happened the way it did without Gary Kubiak calling a lot of the shots,” he said. “If anybody can make sure that Manning has a great year, give him every chance to win as many football games and put a Super Bowl ring on his finger, it’s Kubiak. He’s been preparing for this his whole life, handling big-time players, big situations as both a player and a coach.”

Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickijhabvala