History of Mike Shanahan in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 29, 2025

Mike Shanahan is a former American football coach, primarily recognized for his successful tenure as the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2008. He led the Broncos to two consecutive Super Bowl victories in XXXII and XXXIII, marking the first Super Bowl championships in the team's history. His total head coaching career encompassed twenty seasons, including time with the Los Angeles Raiders and Washington Redskins. He is also the father of current San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

August 24, 1952: Mike Shanahan Born

On August 24, 1952, Michael Edward Shanahan was born. He later became a celebrated American football coach.

1968: Played wishbone quarterback

In 1968, Mike Shanahan played wishbone quarterback for coach Jack Leese's Eagles team at East Leyden High School.

September 20, 1969: Single-Game Rushing Record

On September 20, 1969, Mike Shanahan set a single-game rushing record of 260 yards while playing high school football at East Leyden High School.

1970: Graduation from High School

In 1970, Mike Shanahan graduated from East Leyden High School.

1972: Near-Fatal Injury

In 1972, while a quarterback at Eastern Illinois University, Mike Shanahan suffered a ruptured kidney during practice, causing his heart to stop for thirty seconds. He nearly died as a result.

1975: Graduate Assistant at Oklahoma

In 1975, Mike Shanahan served as a graduate assistant on Barry Switzer's staff at the University of Oklahoma.

1976: Rushing record broken

In 1976, Dennis Cascio broke Mike Shanahan's single-game rushing record that was set in 1969.

1976: Continued as Graduate Assistant at Oklahoma

In 1976, Mike Shanahan continued as a graduate assistant on Barry Switzer's staff at the University of Oklahoma.

1977: Offensive Backfield Coach at Northern Arizona University

In 1977, Mike Shanahan became the offensive backfield coach at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

1980: Offensive Coordinator at University of Florida

In 1980, Mike Shanahan accepted the position of offensive coordinator at the University of Florida under head coach Charley Pell.

1983: End of Tenure at University of Florida

In 1983, Mike Shanahan's tenure as the offensive coordinator at the University of Florida concluded.

1984: Receivers Coach for Denver Broncos

In 1984, Mike Shanahan began serving as a receivers coach for the Denver Broncos under Dan Reeves.

1987: Offensive Coordinator for Denver Broncos

In 1987, Mike Shanahan was the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos under Dan Reeves.

1988: Head Coach of the Los Angeles Raiders

In 1988, Mike Shanahan became the head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders.

1988: Hired as Head Coach by Los Angeles Raiders

In 1988, Mike Shanahan was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders.

October 16, 1989: Returns to the Broncos

On October 16, 1989, Mike Shanahan returned to the Denver Broncos as quarterbacks coach.

1989: Los Angeles Raiders Coaching Record

From 1988 to 1989, Mike Shanahan coached the Los Angeles Raiders.

1989: Fired by the Los Angeles Raiders

In 1989, Mike Shanahan was fired by the Los Angeles Raiders after starting the season with a 1-3 record.

1992: Offensive Coordinator for San Francisco 49ers

From 1992 to 1994, Mike Shanahan served as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

1992: Hired as Offensive Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers

In 1992, Mike Shanahan was hired as the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers under head coach George Seifert.

1994: Super Bowl XXIX Win

From 1992 to 1994, Mike Shanahan was a part of the 1994 San Francisco 49ers team that won Super Bowl XXIX.

1994: Super Bowl XXIX victory and incident with Al Davis

In 1994, Mike Shanahan, then coaching for the 49ers, won Super Bowl XXIX, and also threw a football at Raiders owner Al Davis, escalating their feud.

1995: Head Coach of Denver Broncos

From 1995 to 2008, Mike Shanahan coached the Denver Broncos.

1996: Broncos Victory Streak Begins

In 1996, the Denver Broncos began a period of dominance, achieving an NFL record of 46-10 over three years.

1997: Super Bowl XXXII victory

In 1997, Mike Shanahan led the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl XXXII championship.

1998: Super Bowl XXXIII victory

In 1998, Mike Shanahan led the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl XXXIII championship.

1998: Broncos' dominant season

In 1998, the Denver Broncos started the season winning their first 13 games on their way to a 14-2 record. The Broncos also set an NFL record for first quarter points scored in a season.

1999: Authored 'Think Like a Champion'

In 1999, Mike Shanahan, with the assistance of Adam Schefter, wrote "Think Like a Champion", a motivational book published by HarperCollins.

1999: First Home Playoff Game since 1999

In 2012, Mike Shanahan led the Redskins to their first NFC East title and home playoff game since the 1999 season.

2005: Playoff Win Against Patriots

In 2005, Mike Shanahan ended a six-year playoff win drought by leading the Broncos to a victory over the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.

2005: Winningest Coach in Franchise History

In 2005, Mike Shanahan surpassed Dan Reeves to become the winningest coach in Denver Broncos franchise history.

2006: Collaboration on 'A Few Seconds of Panic'

In 2006, Mike Shanahan cooperated with Stefan Fatsis's endeavor to spend a year as a Broncos place-kicker, resulting in much of the book "A Few Seconds of Panic" covering Shanahan's coaching from the player's point of view.

May 2008: Attended Jenna Bush's Wedding

In May 2008, Mike Shanahan attended the wedding of George W. Bush's daughter, Jenna Bush, who was the former college roommate of Shanahan's daughter.

2008: Head Coach of Denver Broncos

From 1995 to 2008, Mike Shanahan coached the Denver Broncos.

2008: End of Broncos Coaching Stint

In 2008, Mike Shanahan's fourteen-season tenure as head coach of the Denver Broncos concluded.

2008: 'A Few Seconds of Panic' Published

In 2008, Stefan Fatsis published "A Few Seconds of Panic", a book about his year as a Broncos place-kicker, covering Mike Shanahan's coaching from the player's point of view.

November 18, 2009: Buffalo Bills Contact Shanahan

On November 18, 2009, the Buffalo Bills contacted Mike Shanahan about their head coaching vacancy after parting ways with Dick Jauron.

2009: Rushing record broken

In 2009, Angel Maldonado broke the single-game rushing record of 260 yards, set by Mike Shanahan in 1969, with 312 rushing yards.

January 5, 2010: Hired by Washington Redskins

On January 5, 2010, Mike Shanahan was formally introduced as the head coach and vice president of football operations for the Washington Redskins.

January 20, 2010: Kyle Shanahan Hired as Redskins Offensive Coordinator

On January 20, 2010, Mike Shanahan's son, Kyle Shanahan, became the offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins.

December 2012: Criticism over handling Robert Griffin III injury

In December 2012, Mike Shanahan faced criticism over his handling of Robert Griffin III's knee injury, specifically for bringing Griffin back to play after an initial injury and keeping him in the game after reinjuring his knee.

December 30, 2013: Fired by the Washington Redskins

On December 30, 2013, Mike Shanahan was fired as the head coach of the Washington Redskins after a 3-13 season.

2013: Robert Griffin III Reconstructive Surgery and Inactivity

In 2013, Robert Griffin III underwent reconstructive knee surgery in January, and later in the season, Mike Shanahan made Griffin inactive for the final three games, citing it was best for both Griffin's and the Redskins' future.

2013: Possible Contract Extension

In December 2012, there were reports that the Redskins were considering a contract extension with Mike Shanahan, which ultimately did not occur in 2013. There were later reports that Shanahan had considered resigning after the end of the year.

2013: Departure from Washington Redskins

Since his departure from the Washington Redskins in 2013, Mike Shanahan has not held a coaching position.

2015: Interviewed for Head Coaching Positions

In 2015, Mike Shanahan was interviewed by the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers for their vacant head coaching positions.

January 9, 2016: Miami Dolphins Hire Adam Gase

On January 9, 2016, Mike Shanahan was nearly hired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins before they hired Adam Gase.

July 2016: Fundraiser for Donald Trump

In July 2016, Mike Shanahan hosted a fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Loveland, Colorado.

October 2016: Introduced Donald Trump at Campaign Rally

In October 2016, Mike Shanahan introduced Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Denver.

January 1, 2018: Denver Broncos Retain Vance Joseph

On January 1, 2018, the Denver Broncos decided to retain Vance Joseph as head coach, before nearly re-hiring Mike Shanahan as head coach.

August 17, 2019: Near Re-Hiring by Denver Broncos

On August 17, 2019, it was revealed that the Denver Broncos nearly re-hired Mike Shanahan as head coach in 2018 before retaining Vance Joseph.

October 2021: Mansion Sold for Record Price

In October 2021, Mike Shanahan sold his mansion in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, for a record $15.7 million.

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