Philadelphia Eagles | Official Site of the Philadelphia Eagles

One of the most respected defensive minds in football, Vic Fangio is in his second season as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Entering his 39th year of experience, which includes 26 seasons as a coordinator, Fangio has mentored five Pro Football Hall of Famers – Kevin Greene, Rickey Jackson, Ray Lewis, Sam Mills and Patrick Willis – and the 1991 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year (Pat Swilling).

One of the most respected defensive minds in football, Vic Fangio is in his second season as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Entering his 39th year of experience, which includes 26 seasons as a coordinator, Fangio has mentored five Pro Football Hall of Famers – Kevin Greene, Rickey Jackson, Ray Lewis, Sam Mills and Patrick Willis – and the 1991 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year (Pat Swilling).

In 2024, Fangio directed one of the greatest defensive turnarounds by an NFL team en route to the second Super Bowl Championship in franchise history, when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. An AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year finalist, Fangio navigated Philadelphia to No. 1 rankings in total defense (278.4 ypg) and defensive points allowed per game (16.9) one year after the Eagles finished 26th and 30th, respectively, in those categories. Philadelphia, which led the league in yards allowed per game for the first time since its historic "Gang Green" defense in 1991, also placed first in passing defense (174.2 ypg), opponent three-and-out percentage (39.0 pct.) and forced fumbles (18, tied) while ranking third in third-down defense (35.5 pct.), fifth in red zone defense (50.0 pct., tied) and sixth in takeaways (25, tied). Additionally, the Eagles defense, which registered 11 quarterback hits, six sacks and three takeaways in Super Bowl LIX, set team playoff records in sacks (16), takeaways (11) and forced fumbles (six).

Under Fangio's guidance, Zack Baun, who made the transition to inside linebacker for the first time in his career during the 2024 offseason, earned status as an AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist after finishing as the highest-graded linebacker (90.1) by Pro Football Focus. Baun produced a career-high 150 tackles (second-most by an Eagle since 1994) and tied for second in the league with five forced fumbles. A first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honoree, Baun also became the second NFL linebacker since 1991 to generate takeaways in each of their first four career playoff starts.

Managing the youngest defense in the league, Fangio steered defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a dominant showing in 2024, as Carter garnered second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl accolades after leading Philadelphia in pressures (45), quarterback hits (16) and tackles for loss (12). Moreover, Fangio helped the Eagles' two rookie cornerbacks – Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean – become AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists.

In 2023, Fangio oversaw the Miami Dolphins' defense and assisted the team to 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 league in red zone defense in back-to-back seasons (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 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 and 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 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 first-team All-Pro selections, and the AP 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; granddaughter, Maggie; and longtime girlfriend, Kathy Maruyama.