LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Vic Fangio began his coaching career back in 1979, leading the linebacking corps at Dunmore High School in northeastern Pennsylvania. Forty-six years later, he’s back in the Commonwealth serving as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator.
Fangio, 67, has enjoyed a stellar coaching career that includes 10 different NFL stops – including four years serving as Bears defensive coordinator from 2015-’18 – and a Super Bowl victory last February.
Seven years after Fangio started out at Dunmore, he was hired as the Saints’ linebackers coach. That was back in 1986, the year that Bears head coach Ben Johnson was born.
On Friday, Johnson will face a great challenge in leading his Bears (8-3) into Philadelphia to meet the defending champion Eagles (8-3) at Lincoln Financial Field. It will create a fascinating chess match between him and Fangio.
“He’s like the Godfather in a lot of ways,” Johnson said of Fangio.
While the Pro Football Hall of Fame doesn't have specific recognition for coordinators, there’s a case to be made for Fangio to get the call to Canton. At the least, he has great admiration from his peers around the league.
Chicago certainly has a great appreciation for Fangio, who led the Bears' dominant defense in 2018. That was the last time that Chicago won the NFC North. With Johnson at the helm, the team is in first place once again. A victory against the Eagles would also stamp the Bears as a legitimate contender.
To win, the Bears will need to create opportunities against Fangio’s defense. The Bears rank sixth in total offense and eighth in scoring offense this season. The Eagles rank eighth in scoring defense. Fangio's defensive identity is aimed at preventing big plays by using two-high safety coverage and creating pressure with a four-man rush.
In the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 win against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl in February, Fangio’s defense didn’t blitz once and still recorded six sacks on star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It was a Fangio-led masterclass.
The Bears rank second in the NFL in explosive plays – rushes of at least 10 yards and passes of at least 20 yards. Fangio’s defense is the “antithesis” of the Bears’ offense, Chicago offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said.
For veteran Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, Fangio has built defenses that he studies himself.
“He's outstanding at what he does,” Allen said. "Everywhere he's been, he's coached top-level defenses. Go all the way back to the freaking Dome Patrol back in New Orleans, he was part of all those things. I got a lot of respect for him and what he's been able to accomplish defensively.”
The Bears hired Fangio in early 2015 under then-head coach John Fox. While the grizzled Fox faltered during three challenging seasons in Chicago, Fangio established himself as a beloved figure at Halas Hall.
When Fox was fired after the 2017 season, the Bears hired Matt Nagy as their new head coach. Though Fangio was passed up in the head coach interview process – he certainly deserved consideration – he was willing to stay on as Nagy’s defensive coordinator in 2018. A year later, Fangio was hired by the Broncos as their head coach.
Fangio and the Bears have each had some struggles in the years since. Fangio was fired by the Broncos after three seasons in Denver, while the Bears are on their third head coach since Fox left.
Fangio is right back home again in Pennsylvania, and the Bears have a leader in Johnson who's inspiring hope for their future. On Friday, those two will square off with plenty on the line while carrying great respect for one another.
“He has influenced the game significantly,” Johnson said.
Emma’s prediction (8-3): Eagles 24, Bears 19
The Bears’ four-game winning streak ends as the defending champion Eagles get the better of them. This will be a defensive battle most of the way, but Philadelphia will pull through.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.