One of the most respected defensive minds in football, Vic Fangio was named defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024 offseason. He brings 38 years of experience to the coaching staff, including 25 as a coordinator, and has mentored five Pro Football Hall of Famers (Kevin Greene, Rickey Jackson, Ray Lewis, Sam Mills, Patrick Willis) as well as the 1991 NFL Defensive Player of the Year (Pat Swilling) during his career.
In 2023, Fangio oversaw the Miami Dolphins' defense and helped the team earn a spot in the AFC playoff picture. Under his direction, Miami produced the 10th-ranked total defense (318.3 ypg) in the NFL while tallying a franchise-record 56 sacks (third in NFL) and four defensive scores.
Prior to his stint with the Dolphins, Fangio spent the 2022 season as a consultant for the Eagles, when the team advanced to Super Bowl LVII.
Fangio served as the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2019-21. In 2021, with Fangio as their defensive play caller, the Broncos finished third in scoring defense (18.9 ppg) and red zone defense (50.0 pct.) and eighth in total defense (326.1 ypg). Denver also became the first team since 1995 to lead the NFL in red zone defense in back-to-back years (47.5 pct. in 2020; 39.1 pct. in 2019). Several players earned Pro Bowl honors under Fangio's leadership, including defensive end Bradley Chubb (2020), linebacker Von Miller (2019) and safety Justin Simmons (2020, '21). Additionally, Simmons earned Associated Press second-team All-Pro recognition in 2019.
From 2015-18, Fangio coordinated the Chicago Bears' defense. In 2018, he was named the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year after his unit led the league in scoring defense (17.7 ppg), rushing defense (80.0 ypg), yards per play (4.8), takeaways (35), and interceptions (27).
Before the Bears, Fangio spent four years as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator (2011-14). In that span, the 49ers made three playoff appearances, won two NFC West crowns, reached three NFC Championship games, and captured a conference title to play in Super Bowl XLVII.
With Fangio coordinating the defense, San Francisco averaged the second-fewest points allowed (17.4 ppg) and third-fewest yards allowed (310.2 ypg) in the NFL. His group also produced the league's top run defense (92.0 ypg) as well as the third-most takeaways (115) from 2011-14. During his time with the 49ers, Fangio coached 10 different Pro Bowl selections. From 2011-12, defensive ends Aldon Smith and Justin Smith, along with linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, combined for six All-Pro nods.
Fangio spent the 2010 campaign as Stanford's defensive coordinator. Inheriting the nation's 69th-ranked scoring defense, Fangio guided the team to a No. 10 ranking (17.4 ppg) in 2010. The Cardinal went 12-1 as Fangio was named FootballScoop's Defensive Coordinator of the Year.
During the 2006-09 seasons, Fangio worked on the Baltimore Ravens' staff as a linebackers coach (2009) and special assistant to the head coach/defensive assistant (2006-08). In 2009, he oversaw a linebackers room that featured AP first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler Ray Lewis.
Prior to his arrival in Baltimore, Fangio was a defensive coordinator for Houston (2002-05), Indianapolis (1999-2001), and Carolina (1995-98).
During the Panthers' inaugural season in 1995, Fangio's defense ranked fifth in takeaways (37), seventh in total defense (314.2 ypg), and eighth in scoring defense (20.3 ppg). Carolina improved to second in scoring defense (13.6 ppg) and tallied a league-high 60 sacks in 1996, as the franchise advanced to the NFC Championship Game. Additionally, the Panthers allowed just 56 points in the second half of regular-season games, breaking a Super Bowl-era record previously held by the 1985 Bears that still stands today. Carolina's 1996 defense sent four players to the Pro Bowl – cornerback Eric Davis and linebackers Kevin Greene, Lamar Lathon, and Sam Mills.
Fangio entered the NFL as a linebackers coach with the New Orleans Saints (1986-94), where he tutored the famed "Dome Patrol" that featured Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson, Sam Mills, and Pat Swilling. Combining for 18 Pro Bowls, 10 AP first-team All-Pro selections, and one NFL Defensive Player of the Year honor (Swilling, 1991), all four linebackers were voted to the Pro Bowl, marking the first time in league history that four players from the same team and position group were chosen for the all-star game.
Fangio was a defensive assistant with the USFL's Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars from 1984-85, where he was part of back-to-back USFL championships. He also worked as a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 1983.
Fangio began his coaching career at his alma mater, Dunmore (PA) High School, where he worked with the linebackers (1979) before being elevated to defensive coordinator (1980-81). He then spent the 1982 season as the defensive coordinator at Milford (CT) Academy.
A native of Dunmore, PA, Fangio graduated from East Stroudsburg with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education and was elected into the Northeast Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 1993.
Fangio's family includes his son, Christian, daughter, Cassie, grandson, Xavier, and longtime girlfriend, Kathy Maruyama.
