In the sun of Phoenix last month, Mike Shanahan was asked about his future with the Broncos and why he was leaning toward continuing one of the longest coaching rides in recent NFL history.
Comfort. Security. A love for Colorado. And that kid quarterback. All reasons for the 54- year-old Shanahan to sign up for yet another chunk of his life roaming the Broncos’ sideline.
Ending months of planning and weeks of talks, the Broncos and Shanahan finalized a three-year contract extension that will continue to make Shanahan one of the best-paid coaches in the NFL.
Terms of the extension were not announced. But it’s believed Shanahan, who was making about $5 million per year, received a raise. Shanahan’s contract now runs through the 2011 season and is believed to include some performance-based incentives. His previous deal was through 2008.
This is the third time since Shanahan was hired in 1995 that his deal has been extended. For years, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who has a close relationship with his coach, has said he would like to keep Shanahan as his coach for as long as he owns the team. And Bowlen has no plans to sell.
“I’m very excited about this,” Bowlen said Monday. “I’m very happy with Mike and I’m glad to have him here for several more years and I know the feeling is mutual. Mike likes it here.”
Shanahan wasn’t available for comment Monday. But at the recent NFL owners meetings, he said he was looking forward to the chance to finalize an extension. Of course, a primary reason Shanahan is signed up for another five seasons is the reason there is optimism at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters: quarterback Jay Cutler.
Hours after Denver traded up to draft Cutler last April 29 on the former Vanderbilt star’s 23rd birthday, Shanahan was asked if the selection of what the Broncos perceive as a franchise quarterback means he was planning on staying in Denver for a while.
“Heck, yes,” he said then.
Cutler played the final five games of last season. The Broncos finished 9-7 and didn’t advance to the playoffs. Cutler improved steadily and showed a strong arm.
“Mike is obviously very high on Jay as the quarterback of the future and now,” Bowlen said. “I am sure that has re-energized him.”
Shanahan made the biggest coaching staff shakeup of his tenure this past winter and the Broncos have acquired eight new players during the offseason.
“What happened last year wasn’t acceptable here,” Bowlen said. “That is not what Mike is about, and he is 110 percent into this thing and turning it back around.”
Shanahan is the second longest-tenured coach in the NFL. Only the Tennessee Titans’ Jeff Fisher has been with his current team longer. The Broncos have the best regular-season record (123-69) in the NFL since the start of the 1995 season.
“Obviously he has a great track record,” Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson said of Shanahan. “You’re talking about, in all likelihood, a Hall of Fame coach when he retires. … The organization and players benefit from having a consistent guy who in all honesty is really good at his job.”
Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
