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Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio drawing interest as head coaching candidate

These days, not many prospective first-time NFL head coaches also qualify to be members of AARP.

But the Chicago Bears’ Vic Fangio is drawing interest from multiple teams, and if he’s hired, the 60-year-old Pennsylvania native would certainly buck the trend of millennial-aged hires.

Broncos, Dolphins have made requests

Two teams have requested to speak with Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio about their head coaching vacancies. (AP)
Two teams have requested to speak with Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio about their head coaching vacancies. (AP)

Via multiple reports, the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins have requested to interview Fangio for their vacancies, though with the Bears playing this weekend, they’ll have to wait to do so.

This year, Chicago finished the season with the No. 1 defense in terms of points allowed (17.7 points per game) and No. 3 in yards allowed (299.7 YPG); in 2017, it was ninth in points and 10th in yards.

The Bears also finished with an NFL-best 36 takeaways, and were stingy on third down, allowing conversions on just 34.2 percent of opponent opportunities.

Fangio has spent his entire coaching career on the defensive side of the ball, so he’d likely have to bring a strong offensive coordinator with him if he were to be hired.

Humble roots

Fangio began his coaching career in 1979, at his alma mater, Dunmore High School in Pennsylvania. But five years later, he was with the beloved U.S.F.L., as a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Stars. In 1986, Fangio jumped to the NFL, hired as the New Orleans Saints’ linebackers coach.

After eight seasons with the Saints, Fangio became a member of the Carolina Panthers’ inaugural coaching staff, hired by Dom Capers as defensive coordinator. Fangio’s defenses have finished top 10 in points allowed in eight of his 19 seasons as a coordinator with five teams.

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