Vic

Fangio

It was previously reported that Fangio departed the Dolphins with the intent of coaching for the Eagles and the recent announcement makes the hire official. Fangio, widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in league, will join Nick Sirianni’s staff as they look to return to the Super Bowl after a catastrophic fall from grace in the 2023 season, losing in the Wildcard Round after starting the year with a 10-1 record. It will be interesting to see how the team handles the 2023 NFL Draft and coming free agency considering the emphasis on safeties and linebackers in Fangio’s defensive scheme.

It’s a wonder Barry has been able to land interview opportunities after the Green Bay defense collapsed in 2023, as Packers opponents destroyed Barry’s defense in the middle of the field. Barry’s Packers defense over the past two seasons has allowed the NFL’s fifth highest EPA per play and seventh highest drop back success rate. Chicago is also talking with Bills assistant head coach/defensive line Eric Washington for their DC opening. The Eagles, after becoming one of the league’s worst defenses in 2023, hired former Dolphins DC Vic Fangio to head the defense in 2024.

Per Schefter, “Miami is allowing Fangio to leave to be closer to his family in Pennsylvania.” Though it’s possible the Dolphins were looking to make a change at defensive coordinator, the more likely scenario is that he had previously expressed interest in working for the Eagles and now their defensive coordinator gig is up for grabs. Given that the move brings him closer to his family, Miami respected his wishes and allowed him to take the job. Fangio only spent one year in Miami. Despite his defense being ravaged by injuries, he led the team to top-10 finishes in yards and takeaways while also ranking 15th in EPA per play allowed. Fangio is still one of the top minds on the defensive side of the ball and the Eagles are getting a gift from the Dolphins. He should help them rebound from a disastrous 2023 season that saw them rank bottom-five in EPA and points allowed. We expect Fangio to put pen to paper and officially sign with Philly in the coming days.

64-year-old Fangio sat out 2022 after he was fired as Broncos head coach, but he’s now back to revive a Dolphins defense that took a major step back following Brian Flores’ firing. It’s a major coup for Mike McDaniel’s staff, one that allows him to give complete autonomy on his “weak” side of the ball to one of the best defensive play-callers in the game. Fangio has had elite defenses at every single one of his stops. It’s a critically important addition in an AFC East undergoing something of an arms race at the moment.

New coach Frank Reich wants Fangio on his staff, according to Anderson, with the Panthers considering making him the highest paid defensive coordinator. Miami has also been connected to Fangio, who interviewed with the team this week, and there could be interest from the 49ers with DeMeco Ryans expected to land a head coach job. Fangio has a history with Carolina, coordinating their defense from 1995-1998. The 64-year-old coach has been one of the most coveted coordinators during this coaching cycle.

According to Anderson, Fangio’s interview was more than a run-of-the-mill meeting. Anderson noted that the team was expected to discuss terms and conditions with Fangio and that head coach Mike McDaniel “has a strong affinity” for the long-time coach. Fangio served as a defensive consultant for the Eagles this past season after being fired by the Broncos at the end of the 2021 campaign. Still, the 64-year-old coach remains one of the more coveted defensive coordinators on the market, with years of experience and top-ranked defenses lining his resume. In his final two seasons as the Bears defensive coordinator, Fangio’s defense ranked ninth and first in points allowed per game.

Fangio declined defensive coordinator offers after being fired as Denver’s head coach last offseason and spending 2022 as a defensive consultant with the Eagles. With no head coach interest, Fangio looks headed for a coordinator role after interviewing for Atlanta’s defensive coordinator job earlier this week. Miami would offer a better roster for Fangio to work with if he decides to return.

Fangio served as a defensive consultant for the Eagles this season following his three-year stint as the Broncos head coach. An old-school coach, Fangio could be just what the Falcons need following a season in which their defense allowed the tenth most rushing yards per game and the tenth most points per game. Only the Raiders, Lions, and Bears allowed a higher drop back EPA than Atlanta in 2022. Fangio should be considered the odds-on favorite to land the Falcons DC gig.

More specifically, Fangio has already “received, and decided against, multiple offers” to serve as a DC. The 63-year-old is one of the league’s top defensive minds by almost any measure, but he is coming off a grinding three years in Denver. He has also worked continuously as a football coach since 1979. Fangio is not the sort who will fade from the league’s mind if he takes a year or two to re-charge.

Many thought Jacksonville’s private plane was in Denver Monday to escort Nathaniel Hackett to his next interview with the organization, but Adam Schefter reports it was actually there to pick up Fangio for his interview. Jags GM Trent Baalke and Fangio worked together for four years in San Francisco, so you don’t have to squint to see why the team brought him in. It would be an underwhelming hire following the Urban Meyer debacle, especially for a team with a franchise quarterback (in need of development from a bright offensive-minded coach) under center.