Shanahan to Coach Persistent Broncos : Pro football: 49er offensive coordinator finally takes head job after 1993 talks came up empty.

This time, Denver Bronco owner Pat Bowlen didn’t let Mike Shanahan get away.

Shanahan, architect of the offense that carried the San Francisco 49ers to their record fifth Super Bowl title, was hired Tuesday night as coach of the Broncos.

“Deep down inside me, I always wanted this job,” said Shanahan, who succeeds the fired Wade Phillips.

Shanahan was Bowlen’s first choice to succeed Dan Reeves in 1993, but they couldn’t agree on contract terms, and Bowlen turned to Phillips instead. After compiling a 16-17 record in two seasons, Phillips was fired on Dec. 29.

“Two years ago, I just felt the timing wasn’t right,” Shanahan said. “I felt I needed to prove myself more. Now, it feels perfect. I feel very comfortable with the situation. It was easy to say ‘yes.’ ”

Shanahan, who emerged as the hottest coaching prospect in the league during the 49ers’ championship drive, signed a seven-year deal believed to be worth at least $7 million.

“This is a long-term commitment on both Mike’s part and my part, a seven-year deal,” Bowlen said. “Mike will have full control of the football operation, which is the way I want it to be.”

Shanahan, 42, who served for seven seasons as a Denver assistant, said it was “great to be back home again. I’m happy to be back as part of the family.”

Shanahan, whose only previous head coaching experience was an 8-12 stint with the Raiders in the 1988-89 seasons, arrived in Denver Tuesday afternoon and spent three hours talking with Bowlen, during which an agreement was reached.

Shanahan had earlier talked with the Philadelphia Eagles about their vacant coaching position, and the 49ers reportedly were prepared to make a hefty offer to keep him.

Shanahan already was the NFL’s highest-paid assistant at $425,000 a year. It was reported in San Francisco that a 49ers’ offer might include the promise that Shanahan would become that team’s coach in three years, at which time George Seifert, now 55, would move into the front office.

He said the lure of the Denver job overshadowed any other offers.

Shanahan was on the Broncos’ staff during their Super Bowl seasons of 1986, 1987 and 1989.

Shanahan refused to speculate on potential assistants, except to say he would like to bring 49er quarterbacks coach Gary Kubiak to Denver.