Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears reportedly are close to signing defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who recently held the DC position with the San Francisco 49ers. Fangio, 56, has been an NFL coach for 26 years with 14 of those as a defensive coordinator. He has been a defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers (1995-1998), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001), Houston Texans (2002-2005), and the 49ers (2011-2014). Fangio had reportedly been deciding between the Bears and Washington Redskins, but multiple reports state that Fangio has chosen the Bears.
Fangio has had success at every stop, but has been on a hot streak since being hired by Jim Harbaugh as the defensive coordinator at Stanford in 2010. He took over a defense ranked 69th in the nation in points allowed the previous season and finished 9th overall in his first and only season as Stanford’s DC. Fangio followed Harbaugh to the 49ers in 2011, inherited a middle of the pack defense (16th scoring, 13th yards) then finished in the top 5 in both points and yards allowed the next three seasons. 2014 was a rough year with off-field distractions and injuries to 5 defensive starters but Fangio’s defense still finished 5th in total yards allowed. He’s been on a tear the last five seasons and there wasn’t a candidate available that can match Fangio’s recent success.
"“I think he (Vic Fangio) is one of the all-time best defensive coordinators in the history of the league. I think that’s who he is. I think that’s what his legacy will be someday” – Jim Harbaugh"
This is a great signing for the Bears. The upgrade from the incompetent Mel Tucker to Vic Fangio is so massive that I can’t even find a proper comparison. I will be posting a breakdown of Fangio’s defensive scheme later today, but this will mean significant changes to the look of a Bears defense that has ran basically the same scheme the last ten years. This a huge step towards fixing the Bears once proud defense and Bears fans should be celebrating.