NEW ORLEANS — Vic Fangio’s journey in coaching began in the 1970s as a high school assistant in Pennsylvania, eventually establishing him as a prominent figure in defensive strategy across the NFL. Now, at 66 years old, Fangio finds himself at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the place where his professional coaching journey in the NFL commenced, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles—a team he has supported since childhood. With every opportunity to enhance his already impressive career, he reminisces, saying, “I grew up a Philadelphia sports fan…It’s kind of come full circle.”
In his current role, Fangio has successfully integrated eight new starters into an Eagles defense that was previously among the league’s least effective in 2023. Under his guidance, this unit transformed into one of the premier defenses, leading the NFL in essential efficiency metrics while allowing the second-fewest points. This resurgence is a significant contributor to the Eagles’ Super Bowl appearance, offering Fangio a shot at achieving success he was unable to find during a previously challenging head coaching phase in Denver. “I still really like to do it. I think I’m still halfway decent at it,” he remarks, expressing his enduring passion for coaching through the ups and downs.
Fangio began his professional football career coaching a renowned linebacking group known as the “Dome Patrol” in New Orleans back in 1986. He had his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator during the NFL’s expansion era with Carolina in 1995. With a few brief interruptions, notably a stint at Stanford, he has devoted the majority of his time to coaching in the NFL, where his innovative defensive strategies—including effectively disguising coverages—have influenced various teams across the league. Fangio’s only prior Super Bowl appearance was during the 2012 season when his San Francisco team fell to Baltimore.
Reflecting on Fangio’s career, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni praises him as a coach of unmatched experience. “He’s had an unbelievable career…He has the standard of how it’s supposed to look and holds the guys to that standard.” Fangio has played a crucial role in the defensive reconstruction of the Eagles, demonstrating his skill in recognizing talent like free agent Zack Baun, who has blossomed into an All-Pro inside linebacker under Fangio’s mentorship.
Additionally, Fangio has succeeded in integrating rookie players such as Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into the defensive secondary, which has significantly contributed to the team’s turnaround. Mitchell himself commented on Fangio’s influence, likening him to a father figure who balances accountability with humor.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Fangio will encounter a formidable challenge. Notably, his record against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands at 0-8 due to past coaching spells in Denver and Miami. However, he acknowledges that he has never commanded a defense as skilled as this one during their previous matchups. Despite the record, Fangio’s defenses have held the Chiefs to an average of 21.6 points per game when facing them, a solid performance considering special teams and defensive touchdowns.
Mahomes has commented on his battles with Fangio, likening it to a “chess match.” He acknowledges Fangio’s unique ability to adapt and challenge him with diverse strategies. “Every time I’ve played Coach Fangio, there’s been different changeups,” Mahomes noted, emphasizing the coach’s capacity to evolve his game plan. Fangio himself recognizes the challenge posed by Mahomes, stating, “No one has gotten the formula to beat him…We’ll see if there’s something we can come up with.”
As Fangio steps onto the field on one of the sport’s biggest stages, his storied coaching journey and the many lessons learned along the way will be on full display as he seeks to secure his first Super Bowl victory.
