Vic Fangio, who just left Miami, may already have a new defensive coordinator job lined up.
The Dolphins announced Wednesday that they and Fangio had “mutually agreed to part ways.” ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler report. He was a “top target” for the Eagles' defensive vacancy with hopes of signing him.
The now former Miami coach already has ties to the Eagles organization after working as a consultant for two weeks as they prepared to face the Chiefs in last year's Super Bowl.
Mr. Schefter reported. Fangio and the Eagles were interested in working with each other in 2023, but “the timing just wasn't right.”
The Dolphins have allowed Fangio to leave the team to be closer to his family in Pennsylvania, and NFL officials noted that it appears that will be the case this time as well.
The Eagles released defensive coordinator Sean Desai on Sunday and immediately began searching for his replacement.
Now, it looks like the match may be held at Fangio.
“I want to thank Vick for his contributions in 2023. After evaluating the season, it became clear that this was the best path forward for everyone involved,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said in a statement Wednesday. Ta. “We now have an urgent focus on 2024 and beyond, identifying the best candidates to lead our defense going forward. We are developing players and building a winning team that will deliver sustained success. We will continue to work resolutely on this.”
Fangio's 2023 Miami defense allowed the 10th fewest yards per game and ranked third in the NFL in sacks (56).
However, the injury-plagued Dolphins struggled on stretch drives, allowing more than 400 yards of offense in four of the final six games of the regular season.
Fangio, 65, brings 37 years of coaching experience to his next destination.
His resume includes being named AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year with the Bears in 2018.
After the Eagles let go of Desai, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the team has several people who could fill the role, including former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and former Falcons coach Ryan Nielsen. reported that they had contacted the coach.
But after a disastrous 2023 for the Eagles defense, Fangio now appears to be locked in as an option to come in and right the ship.
The Eagles especially struggled in the final few games, leading to head coach Nick Sirianni taking defensive play-calling away from Desai.
