A coaching career spanning four decades, from a high school in Pennsylvania to building an elite defense in Chicago, reached its zenith for Vic Fangio on Wednesday when he was hired as the Broncos’ new coach.

Fangio, 60, was general manager John Elway’s choice, concluding an eight-day process to find a replacement for Vance Joseph, who was fired on Dec. 31.

Fangio brings 32 years of NFL coaching experience to the Broncos, including the last four as the Bears defensive coordinator. He has never been a head coach at any level, but Elway was impressed enough with Fangio’s plan and presence to give him an opportunity.

A league source said Fangio signed a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth season. Fangio flew to the Denver area late Wednesday afternoon and will be introduced during a news conference Thursday.

In looking for a fourth coach in six years, Elway interviewed five candidates: Former Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano and four assistants — Mike Munchak (Pittsburgh), Zac Taylor (Los Angeles Rams), Brian Flores (New England) and Fangio. Elway and the Broncos met with Fangio early Monday morning, less than 12 hours after the Bears’ playoff loss to Philadelphia.

Fangio is expected to have former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak play a big role as sweeping staff changes could be in the offing. Kubiak worked in the team’s front office this past season.

Respected by his players on defense and coaches on the opposite sideline, Fangio’s task is large: The Broncos have missed the playoffs three consecutive years and had back-to-back losing seasons in 2017-18 for the first time since 1972. Even with a new coach in the fold, the Broncos face a long climb back to AFC West respectability.

But at least one of his former players believes the Broncos made the right choice.

“Oh, man, they’re going to get a leader and they’re going to get somebody who cares for them,” Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara said in a phone interview with The Denver Post. “(The Broncos) already have a history for having a great defense. All of that will be enhanced with Vic.”

A source from an AFC team applauded the Broncos’ hire.

“Great,” the source said. “Smart. Prepared. A big loss for Chicago.”

Fangio grew up in Dunmore, Pa., and his playing career ended after high school. He attended East Stroudsburg (Pa.) State and began his coaching career at Dunmore High while still in college.

Fangio’s first job in pro football was with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars in 1984. He was not paid until his second season ($20,000). With the Stars, he created a bond with coach Jim Mora and assistant coach Dom Capers. Fangio would work for Mora in New Orleans and for Capers in Carolina and Houston.

“It’s very well deserved,” Capers said of Fangio’s hiring in a phone interview with The Denver Post. “He’s done a great job in every place he’s been. He’s been in a lot of different situations. Vic is very intelligent. He has a great feel for the game and has done it for a long, long time. He’s seen a lot of transition and ebbs and flows within the league. I think he’ll adjust to whatever the situation is as well as anybody.”

That swath of experience — rebuilding situations, Super Bowl contention seasons, developing young players, getting veteran players to improve — clearly impressed Elway, who saw the Broncos unable to handle adversity the past two years, experiencing losing streaks of eight games last year and two four-game streaks in 2018.

Fangio interviewed for Chicago’s head-coaching job last January which went to then-Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who convinced Fangio to stay on to lead the defense.

During their 12-4 season, the Bears had the league’s top defense, leading in takeaways (36), interceptions (27), lowest passer rating (72.9), three-and-out percentage (26.8), fewest rushing touchdowns (five), fewest rushing yards per game (80.0) and scoring (17.7 points per game).

“He’s by far the most detailed and smartest (coordinator) I’ve been around,” said Amukamara, who played for the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars before joining the Bears in 2017. “All of his play calls are calculating. He’s going to put you in the best place to win.”

Appearing on ESPN, former Broncos coach John Fox, whose defensive coordinator in Chicago was Fangio, said Fangio will do a “tremendous job.”

Fangio’s defenses were twice in the top 10 of fewest points allowed with Carolina and were second, second, third and 10th with the 49ers. In Chicago, he inherited a unit that was 31st in points allowed and improved to finishes of 20th, 24th, ninth and first.

The Broncos will bank on Fangio’s extensive NFL experience to ease the transition to the bigger job title with the bigger paycheck, the bigger office and the bigger spotlight.

“I’m sure he’s thought a lot about this (opportunity) from time to time,” Capers said. “He will take the same approach as he does preparing for an opponent.”