While his three-year stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos didn’t go particularly well, Vic Fangio has long had a reputation as one of the NFL’s top defensive minds. Frank Reich, the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers, reportedly wants to add Fangio to his coaching staff.
Josina Anderson of ESPN reported Reich’s interest in Fangio on Friday.
“I’m told Frank Reich would like to have Vic Fangio join his staff to coordinate the defense; momentum gathering for that hire, per league source,” Anderson said on Twitter. “Could take the #Panthers making Fangio the highest paid defensive coordinator in the NFL.”
I'm told Frank Reich would like to have Vic Fangio join his staff to coordinate the defense; momentum gathering for that hire, per league source.
Could take the #Panthers making Fangio the highest paid defensive coordinator in the NFL.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 28, 2023
Football fans were excited about the possibility of Fangio taking over a talented but underachieving defense.
Blank Check, David Tepper https://t.co/6DCKjJPDZM
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 28, 2023
Panthers could be fun in 2023. https://t.co/Iqfks5K4H9
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) January 28, 2023
Frank Reich is going to wreck the NFC South. https://t.co/5meXhbhbtY
— Chris Blystone (@chrisblystone) January 28, 2023
NFC South is ripe for the picking. Panthers appear to be making moves to make it happen. https://t.co/uEeyTQXlGf
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) January 28, 2023
Yes please https://t.co/45UKmGxQw2
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) January 28, 2023
While Carolina’s No. 1 goal in the offseason will certainly be to improve the quarterback position, No. 2 will be shoring up a defense that struggled for most of the season. The Panthers were below average or worse in most defensive categories in 2022. They were 22nd in total defense, 22nd in passing yards, 18th in rushing defense and 19th in total points allowed.
Fangio, meanwhile, has produced solid defenses throughout his career. His first NFL job was as the linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints from 1986-1994. Linebackers, Pat Swilling, Vaughan Johnson and Hall of Famers Rickey Jackson and Sam Mills made up the Dome Patrol, one of the greatest group of linebackers in NFL history.
He then went to the Panthers, becoming the franchise’s first defensive coordinator. A year later, he helped Carolina reach the NFC Championship Game in the franchise’s second season. After Carolina, Fangio had a three-year stint as offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts and a four-year stint holding the same job with the Houston Texans.
Prior to being hired by the Broncos, he was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014 and Chicago Bears from 2015-2018. In both stops, his teams were among the best defenses in the league. Presently, Fangio is a defensive consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles. Fangio has been a highly sought-after name in the offseason. He’s also been linked to current free agent, Sean Payton.
[Josina Anderson on Twitter]
