"This is something I never thought could possibly happen," Jackson said yesterday at a Staples Center news conference. "It's a pleasure to come back."

Jackson, who won three championships with the Lakers in five years, was let go last June 18 by owner Jerry Buss — three days after the team lost to Detroit in the NBA Finals.

The buzz about Jackson's possible return began almost immediately after his replacement, Rudy Tomjanovich, left in February, despite Jackson's book detailing the 2003-04 season in which he made disparaging remarks about the franchise.

Bryant was at the top of that list.

"I think it's a matter of trust, a matter of rebuilding the trust that we had," Jackson said of his relationship with Bryant. "And yes, I have talked to Kobe; he actually called me this morning to congratulate me on the job. And I felt confident that he's confident that we can go forward."

Bryant's reaction to a possible return by Jackson seemed lukewarm at best during the past several months. But Bryant released a more positive statement through his agent yesterday.

"When the Lakers began the search for a new head coach, I put my complete trust in Dr. Buss and (general manager) Mitch Kupchak to select the person they thought was best for the Lakers' organization," Bryant said. "In Phil Jackson, they chose a proven winner. That is something I support."

Jackson's latest deal is for three years. Terms were not announced, but it's believed he'll be earning between $7 million and $10 million per year, making him the highest-paid NBA coach ever — a fact confirmed by Kupchak.

Kupchak said other potential coaches were contacted to gauge their interest.

"Roy Williams turned us down for the third time," Kupchak said of his attempts to talk with the North Carolina coach. "That's a Los Angeles record."

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, left, congratulates Phil Jackson, who was rehired after a one-year absence.

Jackson said he's been approached over the last three weeks by fans and non-fans asking him when he was coming back.

"One of the reasons why I've returned is the support has been so tremendous in this city," he said. "It is a town that truly supports its team and has a tremendous amount of affection for it."

Jeanie Buss, the owner's daughter and the Lakers' executive vice president of business operations, publicly lobbied for months for the return of Jackson, her longtime boyfriend.

She got her wish.

"We're very pleased to have Phil return to the Lakers as our head coach," Jerry Buss said in a statement. "His record speaks for itself and his success in this sport is unparalleled. Quite simply, Phil is the best coach in the business and probably the greatest coach of all time."

Jackson, who turns 60 in September, has had health issues in the past and underwent an angioplasty two years ago. He told ABC-TV before the opening game of the NBA Finals that he had a series of tests showing he was "100 percent healthy."

Jackson's dismissal last year set in motion a makeover of massive proportions that proved disastrous for the Lakers. Dominant big man Shaquille O'Neal demanded a trade and superstar Bryant opted out of his contract to become a free agent the same day Jackson's five-year run as coach ended.

The following month, O'Neal was traded to Miami while Bryant stayed with the Lakers.

"I want to congratulate Phil on returning to coach the Lakers," O'Neal said in a statement released through the Heat. "He is one of the premier coaches. I wish him the very best."

Tomjanovich succeeded Jackson, signing a five-year, $30 million contract, but lasted barely half a season, citing health reasons when he suddenly resigned Feb. 2.

With injuries playing a major role, the Lakers lost 19 of their last 21 games under interim coach Frank Hamblen to finish 34-48 and out of the playoffs for just the second time since 1976.

Jackson has a record 175 postseason victories and is tied for 10th on the NBA's all-time list with 832 wins in just 14 seasons — nine with the Bulls and five with the Lakers.