ENGLEWOOD — With the Denver Broncos hosting the San Francisco 49ers for joint practices this week, it was a perfect time for former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan to come back to his old stomping grounds in Dove Valley.
“Mike has always been a big part of this organization, always will be and it’s nice to have him come back out," said Broncos GM Jon Elway. "It’s always good to see him out here because I enjoy talking football with him. As all you know, he is very knowledgeable in the game. I’m glad that he is able to come back and know that this is home for him.”
For Shanahan it has been years since he visited Englewood, but thought this year was the right time to come back.
"John has invited me a number of times over the last couple years. Then with [Broncos Head Coach] Vic [Fangio]—knowing him very well, a number of the coaches, with [Broncos Offensive Coordinator Rich] Scangarello being here and a number of people you know quite well. I thought it was time to get back here and enjoy the years we’ve had here and be part of it again.”
And for Mike's son Kyle, who is the head coach of the 49ers, coming back to Denver brought a ton of memories back from his youth.
"This is my first time back here since my dad left, which is college for me," explained the younger Shanahan. "Looks completely different. This thing was never here, there used to be a bubble that blew down one day, so the facility looks great. It’s good to see a lot of old people and really enjoyed our time here.”
