LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- The cruel irony in Vic Fangio's NFL coaching career of three-plus decades is what has made him so revered by players and peers alike has been part of why he hasn't become a head coach.
The 60-year-old Fangio, currently leading in his fourth season as Bears defensive coordinator, has earned great respect because of his no-nonsense approach. For all his success as an assistant and coordinator, Fangio doesn't carry the tact that is appealing to the owners and executives who oversee coaching searches.
As Pro Bowl defensive lineman Akiem Hicks said of Fangio, it's all about pertinent facts and no rah-rah. And Fangio didn't mince words at Halas Hall on Thursday when discussing his preparation for his reported interviews with the Broncos and Dolphins next week.
"I've done zero on that," Fangio said.
Zero?
"Zero," Fangio said.
Not even earlier this season?
"Zero," Fangio reiterated.
Fangio said he hasn't returned one phone call this week while he prepares his top-ranked Bears defense for for a meeting against Nick Foles and the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in the wild-card round at Soldier Field this Sunday afternoon. The priority for Fangio is on a different career goal: winning a Super Bowl championship while allowing his representatives to handle the rest.
Fangio has been mostly dismissed as a head coaching candidate in the past despite a strong resume. In 2014, the 49ers didn't even interview their defensive coordinator Fangio after firing coach Jim Harbaugh. They instead hired defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, who was then fired after one season. Fangio landed in Chicago in early 2015 after a disappointing end to his four-year tenure in San Francisco.
Though often gruff and direct in approach, Fangio is genuinely respected. That was certainly clear as the Bears imagined moving forward without him after this season.
"I love playing for that guy," Hicks said. "I got a lot of respect for him, and so does the entire defense. I don't even want to think about the possibility of him ever leaving, so I'm going to pretend nothing is going on."
Added safety Adrian Amos: "You want to see everybody excel, move and grow. I'd be happy for him."
Fangio isn't permitted to interview for a head coaching position until after the Bears' wild-card game Sunday. The interviews with the Dolphins and Broncos are slated for Monday, NFL Media reported. Fangio wasn't sure what kind of preparation time he would have given the Bears' 3:40 p.m. CT kickoff time a day before in Chicago.
Coach Matt Nagy was in the same position as Fangio a year ago, set up as a top head coaching candidate as his Chiefs were preparing for a game against the Titans in the wild-card round. Kansas City lost to Tennessee on the Saturday of wild-card weekend, and Nagy then interviewed with the Bears on Sunday, meeting with team chairman George McCaskey, president Ted Phillips and general manager Ryan Pace.
Nagy had prepared for this possibility well before the playoffs had even begun, knowing well his time would be coming while the Chiefs were fighting for a championship. He held by a promise to focus on the Chiefs' game, then shifted his attention after they were eliminated.
"That was the decision I made and I went by," Nagy said. "But I just think it's so important to focus. It's not fair to your peers, it's not fair to your players. And he's not doing that. Vic has been doing a great job with that and so completely focused.
"It's not easy because you're talking about a big-time opportunity. But you got to live in the moment, and the moment is day-by-day."
It's possible the Bears could lose other assistants in addition to Fangio. Quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone could an offensive coordinator candidate elsewhere, and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell may get a look as defensive coordinator -- perhaps even as the Bears' replacement for Fangio if he were to leave. Nagy has said there are contingency plans already in place.
Speaking during an eight-minutes press conference Thursday in which half the questions were related about his job future, Fangio had little to offer about the opportunities that await next week. He offered appreciation for the support of his Bears and cited the importance of good players and strong management for that chance to interview for head coaching vacancies.
How Fangio really feels is something only he truly knows -- a potential decision he doesn't want bothering Nagy or anyone else at Halas Hall. Fangio has been asked about becoming a head coach in the past and indicated that window has likely shut. Now, it appears open again.
In hiring Fangio, a team could add the leader and tactician behind a Bears unit that ranks first in takeaways (36), scoring defense (17.7), rushing defense (80.0), passer rating against (72.8) and defensive touchdowns (six). Fangio credits his players, who deflect the praise back to him.
The case for Fangio should speak for itself, but shouldn't he at least plan to prepare for these interviews?
"I really don't," he said. "Maybe that's why (still) I'm here."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
