Hawks make it official: Holmgren signed through '08

KIRKLAND – The Seahawks held a news conference today to formally announce that Mike Holmgren has signed a two-year contract extension to remain as coach until the end of the 2008 season.

Holmgren, team president Tim Ruskell and CEO Tod Leiweke answered reporters' questions. Holmgren's wife Kathy was also in attendance.

"We believe we've locked up what we think is one of the finest coaches in the National Football League," Ruskell said. "Not just now, but in the history of the game."

Holmgren, 57, said he felt "revitalized" after taking several months after the end of the 2005 season to assess whether he would like to continue on as coach after the 2006 campaign.

"After doing it for a while, the idea of getting a little bit worn down and not really being able to be fair with the players and organization and giving them everything they deserve … it's a question that comes up," Holmgren said. "I can honestly say that that fire burns inside of me still, very brightly."

ESPN.com reported that Holmgren's extension is worth between $15.5 to $17 million over the two years. He is to be paid $7 million this season, which would have been the last of his original eight-year deal signed in 1999.