Santa Clara, CA (My Sportsbook) - The San Francisco 49ers Tuesday re-signed general manager Terry Donahue to a multi-year contract. As per team policy, financial terms were not released, but the deal is a four-year extension and will run through 2009.

"I'm very excited and pleased that John and Denise decided to invite me to come back for another four years," said Donahue. "This has been a very interesting and challenging experience in my life."

Donahue took over the San Francisco football operations on May 2, 2001 after spending two years under Bill Walsh, who won three Super Bowls as the 49ers' coach before returning as GM in 1999.

Donahue has been partly responsible for the rebuilding of the team that went just 4-12 in 1999 and reached the playoffs two years later with a 12-4 mark.

However, the club's record has declined in each of the last two years.

"I have a great affinity for the team and the challenge that we're faced with. I'm very much looking forward to it," said Donahue.

He was also in charge of hiring head coach Dennis Erickson last year after the firing of Steve Mariucci.

Prior to working with San Francisco, Donahue coached at UCLA from 1976-95 and became the winningest coach in Pac-10 history where he earned a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

He also spent three years as a television analyst before joining the 49ers as director of player personnel in 1999. Donahue was then promoted to assistant general manager the following year.