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Tim Tebow gets the white-hot spotlight and all the hype. But while the polarizing Denver Broncos quarterback is watched by the world, an ex-University of Utah QB has guided his ascension.

Almost 17 years ago, Mike McCoy led the Utes to a 16-13 victory in the 1994 Freedom Bowl, persevering against Arizona's Desert Swarm defense to unearth a last-minute victory via a fourth-and-goal desperation touchdown toss.

Today, McCoy walks the sidelines as Denver's offensive coordinator, alternately barking in Tebow's ear and making tactical in-game adjustments that have propelled the Broncos to the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL (163.1 yards per game) and on the verge of qualifying for the playoffs.

"I've been fortunate that I've been able to work with some great people and very good football coaches, and I've learned a lot," said McCoy, prior to Denver's 41-23 home loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday. "I've always been someone to say, 'Hey, you've got to make the most of your opportunities,' and I think that's what I've done."

­Total turnaround • So have the Broncos.

Denver (8-6) holds a one-game lead over Oakland and San Diego in the AFC West with just two weeks left in the regular season. The Broncos can clinch a playoff spot Saturday with a victory at Buffalo and losses by Cincinnati, Tennessee and the New York Jets.

On Oct. 9, Denver's year was a disaster just five weeks into the season. The Broncos were 1-4, then-starting QB Kyle Orton wasn't cutting it, Tebow chants poured down from the stands and new coach John Fox was limping toward the chopping block.

Then Denver made a change. Tebow was promoted, Orton was released and McCoy worked with quarterbacks coach Adam Gase to quickly adapt the Broncos' struggling offense to the run-first, pass-second QB who previously was more of a popular debate topic than a prime-time player.

Victories in seven of eight games followed — several featuring thrilling late-game comebacks won in overtime — Tebowmania spread like wildfire and Denver climbed from the doormat to a darkhorse AFC contender with McCoy calling many of the shots.

"[McCoy] and Adam Gase have done a great job of changing around what we do to kind of make sure that we're using our best abilities that we have on offense," Broncos receiver/punt returner Eddie Royal said after the loss to the Patriots. "Tim's able to run the ball, so we've mixed that in a lot and they've done a great job of doing that."

QB and OC • Tebow offered his own praise. The energetic, spiky-haired QB took 30 seconds out of a postgame news conference last Sunday to discuss how McCoy has tailored Denver's offensive schemes to fit the second-year player's unique assets.

The Broncos still keep it simple, using a balanced run-pass attack that's as old school as it is new age. But McCoy acknowledged adding a "wrinkle or two" each week that's aided Tebow's evolution. And the Heisman winner and two-time national champion at Florida said his OC has utilized everything from power runs and play-action passes to unbalanced sets and option-tosses to send Denver skyward.

"There are a lot of different recipes [that defenses] have to prepare for," Tebow said.

The variety and the victories haven't stemmed the tide of Tebow haters. If anything, critics have risen to the occasion to meet the Christian QB head on.

McCoy stood behind his man.

"Everyone wants to knock him and say he can't do this and that, but all he does is win football games," McCoy said. "That's the big thing. He just goes out there every week and does the best he can, and he wants to get better every day. The offensive staff and the quarterback coach, myself and [Tebow], all we talk about every day is getting better and that's what the kid tries to do."

Fortune and luck • That's all McCoy did for the Utes. After spending two years at Long Beach State under coaching legend George Allen, McCoy transferred to Utah to play for Ron McBride. Two consecutive bowl-game appearances followed, and McBride wasn't exaggerating when he said McCoy's off-the-field intelligence and football knowledge made him a lock to one day be an NFL offensive coordinator.

"He completely understood what he saw at game time, and he knew what to do with the football and where to put it," McBride said.

He added: "He earned his way up the ladder because he's smart, intelligent, he knows how to teach and he's done a great job."

Sometimes, McCoy also allows himself to reflect on his Utah days. He met his wife in Salt Lake City, stays in touch with the "good people" of the area and marvels over his alma mater's entry into the Pac-12.

"The fan support from what I see on TV and stuff now is phenomenal. They're doing a great job there," McCoy said. "It's great for the city, and it's great for the alumni to see the advancements that they've made."

For the ex-Ute to advance in the NFL, it took good luck, better fortune and making the most of every opportunity. He turned a training camp invite from the Broncos in 1995 and a friendship with then-Denver QB Bill Musgrave into an entry-level coaching job with Carolina in 2000. Playing time in the CFL and NFL Europe preceded his hire; seven years with George Seifert's and Fox's Panthers followed it.

When Josh McDaniels was fired last December as Denver's coach, McCoy's longstanding relationship with the newly hired Fox helped him stick around.

"He knew who I was, the way I do things, the way I coach. … I understood what he wanted and it's just a great opportunity for myself and the staff to stay here," McCoy said.

The right job • The ex-Ute dreams of one day coaching his own NFL team. For now, though, McCoy's devoted to the Broncos. Denver's offense has to stay balanced, Tebow must continue to improve and a playoff spot is in sight. There's work to be done, plays to be called.

If McCoy makes a move upward in the NFL hierarchy, he said it has to be the right job, not just any job.

"You've just got to make sure that when you decide to move you go in the right spot," McCoy said. "Because in this profession, one move leads to another."

For at least the next two weeks, he's proud to be the Broncos' OC. Pulling all-nighters Monday through Thursday and barely seeing his family. Locking down and tunneling in Friday and Saturday.

Walking the sideline and fighting to win a gridiron chess match Sunday. Then starting the whole thing over, building from scratch for the next game.

"You just keep going, and that's the way this business is," McCoy said. "You just try to do whatever you can to help the football team win, and that's what we try to do each week."

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Mike McCoy file

Title • Offensive coordinator

Team • Denver Broncos

NFL coaching experience • 12 years (9 with Carolina)

Playing experience • Denver, Green Bay, NFL Europe, San Francisco, Philadelphia, CFL

College • Utah, Long Beach St. Age • 39 Quotable

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow on how offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has adapted Denver's offense to Tebow's strengths: "We're just continuing to try to stay balanced: run, pass. I think we can give defenses a lot of looks, from under center, power runs, set formations, half runs to play-actions to some of the option game. So there are a lot of different recipes [that defenses] have to prepare for."

McCoy on Tebow: "He's a winner. Everywhere he's been he's won football games. Everyone wants to knock him and say he can't do this and that, but all he does is win football games. That's the big thing. He just goes out there every week and does the best he can, and he wants to get better everyday. The offensive staff and the quarterback coach, myself and [Tebow], all we talk about is every day is getting better and that's what the kid tries to do." —

Utes glory

As a quarterback, McCoy led Utah to two consecutive bowl games, including a 16-13 victory against Arizona in the 1994 Freedom Bowl. He completed 23 of 40 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns during the Utes' 28-21 loss to USC in the 1993 Freedom Bowl. —

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