Nov 2, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during practice at the PSD Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Going green: Eagles to hand defense to Vic Fangio

One day after ending his one-year run as defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, Vic Fangio is taking over the Eagles’ defense, according to multiple reports Thursday.

Fangio and head coach Mike McDaniel said a mutual parting in Miami was agreed to Wednesday, not long before Nick Sirianni was asked at his season-ending press conference about bringing the 65-year-old to Philadelphia.

Fangio has been a defensive coordinator in the NFL for 20 seasons and was head coach of the Denver Broncos (2019-21). When he was fired by the Broncos, Fangio didn’t immediately take another full-time role but served as a consultant for the Eagles during their run to the NFC Championship in 2022.

He discussed the coordinator job with Sirianni last year but was hired by the Dolphins when Miami made him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL.

Philadelphia is hiring a third defensive coordinator in three seasons.

Jonathan Gannon was hired as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals after the Eagles’ Super Bowl run and Sean Desai held the role most of last season before being demoted in favor of Matt Patricia, former New England Patriots defensive coordinator and Detroit Lions head coach. Neither is returning to the Eagles in 2024.

Fangio’s defense in Miami was ravaged by injuries and was No. 22 in total defense and points allowed last season.

He was also the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers stretching back to the mid-1990s.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos coach Vic Fangio calls B.S. on Ravens

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio didn’t mince words Monday, calling B.S. on the Baltimore Ravens’ decision to run on the final play of Sunday’s game instead of kneeling.

The Ravens ran the ball with three seconds remaining in 23-7 victory because the team needed 3 yards to reach 100 for the game, tying an NFL record of 43 in a row. Quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for 5 yards.

Fangio was livid on the sideline Sunday and wasn’t having it Monday, either.

“Yeah I thought it was kind of bull— but I expected it from them,” Fangio said. “Thirty-seven years in pro ball and I’ve never seen anything like that. But it was to be expected and we expected it.”

He was asked why he expected it.

“I just know how they operate. That’s just their mode of operation there. Player safety is secondary,” said Fangio, who was an assistant coach on John Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore for two seasons after Harbaugh was hired in 2008.

Harbaugh defended the decision after Sunday’s game, calling Jackson’s scamper “meaningful.”

“One hundred percent my call,” Harbaugh said. “That’s one of those things that’s meaningful. As a head coach, you have to be mindful of your players and your coaches and what it means to them. It’s a very tough record to accomplish and it’s a long-term record.”

Jackson, for one, said he didn’t know what Harbaugh “was thinking.”

“I’m not going to lie. I didn’t even care about the record,” Jackson said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll reacts with players after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFL fines 3 coaches for failing to wear masks

The NFL cracked down Monday on maskless head coaches, reportedly handing out more than a $1 million in fines.

The San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, the Denver Broncos’ Vic Fangio and the Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Carroll each were fined $100,000 for not wearing masks Sunday, and their teams were docked $250,000, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported the same dollar figures and indicated that three teams were involved but did not list the individuals.

Following the opening week of games, Sept. 10-14, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent reportedly sent a firm memo reminding coaches of their obligation to wear masks with the league holding games amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Multiple media outlets noted that the two head coaches whose teams played Monday night, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Jon Gruden and the New Orleans Saints’ Sean Payton, frequently weren’t wearing masks during the first half.

–Field Level Media