Mike McCoy - NFL Head Coach Biography

Early Life and Playing Career
Mike McCoy was born on April 1, 1972, in San Francisco, California. He played college football as a quarterback at Long Beach State before transferring to the University of Utah after Long Beach State discontinued its football program. At Utah, McCoy was a starting quarterback and showed promise, but he was not selected in the NFL Draft.

• College: Long Beach State, University of Utah (Quarterback)
• Professional Playing Career: Spent time with the Calgary Stampeders (CFL), Amsterdam Admirals (NFL Europe), and had brief stints with Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks (offseason/practice squads).

Coaching Career
Mike McCoy began his NFL coaching career in 2000 with the Carolina Panthers as an offensive assistant. Over the next several years, he worked his way up the coaching ranks, notably serving as the Panthers’ quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. He was part of the staff that helped the Panthers reach Super Bowl XXXVIII in
2003.

• Carolina Panthers (2000–2008): Offensive Assistant, Quarterbacks Coach, Passing Game Coordinator
• Denver Broncos (2009–2012): Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach. McCoy earned acclaim for his flexibility and innovation, particularly during the 2011 season when he adjusted Denver’s offense mid-year to suit Tim Tebow’s strengths, helping the Broncos win a playoff game.
• San Diego Chargers (2013–2016): Head Coach. In his first season, McCoy led the Chargers to a 9-7 record and a playoff berth, winning a Wild Card game before falling in the Divisional Round. He compiled a 27-37 regular-season record as head coach over four seasons.
• Denver Broncos (2017): Offensive Coordinator (second stint)
• Arizona Cardinals (2018): Offensive Coordinator

Highlights and Accomplishments

• Guided the Chargers to the playoffs in his first season as head coach (2013)
• Known for his adaptability as an offensive coach, shaping schemes around his quarterbacks
• Helped develop quarterbacks such as Philip Rivers, Kyle Orton, and Tim Tebow
• Coached in Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Panthers

Legacy and Personal Life
Mike McCoy is respected in football circles for his attention to detail, quarterback development, and offensive innovation. After being relieved of his last NFL coaching duties in 2018, McCoy has largely stayed out of the public coaching spotlight.
Did you know? McCoy is recognized for his flexibility in tailoring offensive schemes to maximize the talents of his personnel, a skill most evident during his Denver years with Tebow and Peyton Manning.

Legacy & Career Overview

Mike McCoy: NFL Head Coach - Comprehensive Biography

Mike McCoy is a seasoned football coach whose career in the National Football League (NFL) spans over two decades, marked by a reputation for offensive innovation and adaptability. Born on April 1, 1972, in San Francisco, California, McCoy grew up with a strong passion for football, which he pursued both as a player and later as a coach. While he is most prominently known for his stint as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers, his influence has been felt on several NFL sidelines.

Early Life and Playing Career

McCoy attended San Marin High School in Novato, California, where he excelled as a quarterback. He continued his football journey at Long Beach State University, playing quarterback until the school's football program was discontinued. McCoy then transferred to the University of Utah, where he played under head coach Ron McBride. Known for his intelligence and strong work ethic, McCoy was a reliable presence for the Utes, starting for two seasons and demonstrating a sharp mind for offensive schemes.

After college, McCoy had a brief professional playing career. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 1995 but did not make the regular season roster. He spent time in NFL Europe with the Amsterdam Admirals and also briefly with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Although his playing career did not flourish at the professional level, the experience laid a foundation for his future in coaching.

Coaching Career

McCoy began his coaching career in 2000 with the Carolina Panthers, initially joining as an offensive assistant. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving in various roles including wide receivers coach and quarterbacks coach. Notably, he was part of the Panthers staff that advanced to Super Bowl XXXVIII following the 2003 season, where Carolina narrowly lost to the New England Patriots.

In 2009, McCoy joined the Denver Broncos as their offensive coordinator. During his tenure in Denver (2009-2012), McCoy developed a reputation for his ability to tailor offenses to the strengths of his personnel. In 2011, he orchestrated an offense built around the unique skill set of quarterback Tim Tebow, leading the Broncos to a playoff berth and a memorable overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round. The following year, McCoy worked with Peyton Manning, helping the Broncos finish with the second-highest scoring offense in the league.

McCoy's success as an offensive coordinator earned him a head coaching opportunity with the San Diego Chargers in
2013. In his first season, he led the Chargers to a 9-7 record and a playoff victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round. Under his guidance, quarterback Philip Rivers enjoyed some of his best statistical seasons, and the Chargers were known for their dynamic passing attack.
However, despite initial success, subsequent seasons were marred by injuries and close losses, with the Chargers finishing 9-7 in 2014 and then 4-12 and 5-11 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. McCoy was relieved of his duties as head coach following the 2016 season.

After his head coaching tenure, McCoy returned to the Broncos in 2017 as offensive coordinator, though he was let go midseason due to offensive struggles. He then served as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, but his stint was brief as the team struggled offensively and he was dismissed during the season.

Coaching Philosophy and Legacy

Throughout his coaching career, McCoy has been recognized for his flexibility and willingness to adapt offensive schemes to fit the strengths of his quarterbacks, whether working with traditional pocket passers like Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning or dual-threat athletes like Tim Tebow. He is known for his detailed preparation, communication skills, and player development, particularly at the quarterback position.

Teams Coached

• Carolina Panthers (2000–2008) – Offensive Assistant, WR Coach, QB Coach
• Denver Broncos (2009–2012, 2017) – Offensive Coordinator
• San Diego Chargers (2013–2016) – Head Coach
• Arizona Cardinals (2018) – Offensive Coordinator

Notable Career Highlights and Accomplishments

• Super Bowl XXXVIII appearance as assistant coach (Carolina Panthers, 2003)
• AFC West Division title (Denver Broncos, 2012, as OC)
• AFC Wild Card playoff victory as head coach (San Diego Chargers, 2013 season)
• Developed Pro Bowl quarterbacks including Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning

Personal Life and Legacy

Mike McCoy is married and has two children. Off the field, he is known for his charitable work and commitment to his family. Though his head coaching record stands at 27–37, his impact on the NFL is most strongly felt through his creativity as an offensive mind and his role in developing quarterbacks. While McCoy has not returned to a head coaching role since his Chargers tenure, his experience and adaptability have made him a respected figure in coaching circles, and his approaches continue to influence offensive strategy across the league.