HENDERSON, Nev. -- Josh McDaniels was running down the home sideline in the chilly Rocky Mountain air, first pointing up to the crowd and then unleashing four full fist-pump punches with his right hand, each one more vicious than the previous, before screaming, "That's right!"
It was Oct. 11, 2009, and McDaniels, then the Denver Broncos' fresh-faced, 33-year-old rookie head coach, had just beaten his old mentor, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots in overtime to improve to 5-0. McDaniels' pseudo-victory lap included leaping into the waiting arms of Broncos defensive lineman Kenny Peterson and sharing bro-hugs with several Patriots players and assistants.