The Broncos on Thursday hired Colorado-native Conor McGahey as public address announcer for the team’s home games at Mile High. McGahey replaces Alan Roach, who left in July after 16 years to call Minnesota Vikings games.

But one question already flooded him over and over: Will McGahey continue the “IN-COM-PLETE” chant started by Alan Cass?

“The answer is yes. It is here to stay,” McGahey said. “I would be shot on site if I didn’t do it. All of sudden Conor is not around anymore.”

McGahey has been the voice of Colorado Buffaloes games since 2007, and he also works with Altitude Sports on Avalanche and Rapids broadcasts. His first game with the Buffs was memorable one. When Cass — who for years called CU games on Saturdays and Broncos games on Sundays — fell ill with the West Nile virus in 2007, McGahey got a call to sub in. That game ended when Kevin Eberhart kicked a game-winning field goal as time ran out to upset No. 3 Oklahoma.

“It’s funny, you’re up there in the booth having a blast and time flies,” McGahey said.

Cass ceded his Broncos duties to Roach in 1997. Now they go to McGahey. But he won’t change much, he said.

“Roach is the best in the business. You never want to be the replacement for somebody like that, but when you are, you have to make the best of it.”

So about that chant. … Opponents hate it. Broncos fans love it. But there’s an art to it, a rhythm. The PA voice has to work in harmony with 76,000 fans. So how will McGahey handle the chants of “IN-COM-PLETE?”

“Broncos fans are brilliant. They’re the smartest fans in the league, bar none. They know when to do it and when not to,” McGahey said. “Fans and I are on the same page. If it’s an incomplete pass on second-and-1 in the first quarter, that’s not the time for it. But if it’s third-and-14 and a pattern over the middle and Von Miller hits a guy right in the numbers, that’s the time.

“The fans know. I don’t have to make that decision.”

Broncos PA voices tend to have long tenures. Cass, author of the chant, lasted 10 years at Mile High. Roach went 16 into the team’s newest stadium. And McGahey, who’s worked all over town, is built to last — with a humorous wink.

“I keep using the word honor, but that’s truly what it is,” he said. “The Broncos have been at the top of the mountain. They are king. And it’s good to be in the king’s courtroom. I could be the jester. That’s possible. But it’s fun.”