Former Broncos HC Vic Fangio reflects on his tenure in Denver while speaking to the media during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night
Vic Fangio has only been a head coach for three of his 39 years in the NFL. That time came between 2019-2021 with the Denver Broncos. He compiled a 19-30 record during that span, and was fired ahead of the 2022 offseason. Fangio went on to be a consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles, then joined […]
Vic Fangio has only been a head coach for three of his 39 years in the NFL.
That time came between 2019-2021 with the Denver Broncos. He compiled a 19-30 record during that span, and was fired ahead of the 2022 offseason. Fangio went on to be a consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles, then joined the Miami Dolphins in 2023 as their defensive coordinator.
He rejoined the Eagles in 2024 to be their DC, and he now finds himself coaching for a championship. While speaking to the media (H/T Andrew Mason of Denver Sports 104.3) during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night on Monday, Fangio was asked if he was surprised that he didn't get a fourth season as Denver's HC.
"Not really," Fangio said. "There (were) three years. We (went) 7-10 the last year. I mean, in retrospect, they (Broncos) probably should have (given another year). But, when you don't produce, you could be gone."
Fangio went on to explain why he declined to return to the Broncos as defensive coordinator under HC Sean Payton in 2023.
"Yeah, well, that was our plan," Fangio said. "We were going to do that, but at the time, I thought it was too early to go back. No emotion, I just don't think anybody would have been ready for it at that point. You know, it would have been an unnecessary story/angle for too many people."
Fangio had his moments as Denver's HC, including starting 3-0 in 2021, but just couldn't get over the hump in transforming the Broncos into a consistent winner. In the end, departing worked out for both sides. Fangio has the opportunity to win Super Bowl LIX with Philadelphia, while Denver just made the playoffs for the first time in nine years under Payton. Sometimes guys are better coordinators than HCs, and Fangio is leaving a legacy as one of the better coordinators in league history.
