After having two understudies run the system to mixed review, the Eagles got their man and the scheme’s architect, as Vic Fangio has officially been named the team’s defensive coordinator.
Fangio wanted to be closer to his family in Pennslyvania, and Philadelphia happened to have a vacancy after firing Sean Desai.
Welcome to Philly, Coach Fangio!#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/MtIK5ECjDa
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 27, 2024
Nick Sirianni had this to say about the hiring.
“Vic’s reputation obviously speaks for itself,” Head Coach Nick Sirianni said. “He’s a brilliant defensive mind who has coached at a very high level in this league for many years. In my time spent with Vic, I’ve seen firsthand what makes him such a great coach – tremendous knowledge of the game, passion, and work ethic. I’m excited for our coaches and players to be able to learn from him and see it for themselves.”
Fangio, one of the most sought-after defensive coordinator candidates last offseason, was Denver’s head coach from 2019-21, going 19-30.
Fangio spent the Super Bowl run with the Eagles but took the Dolphins coordinator job, expecting Jonathan Gannon to remain in Philadelphia.
Gannon bolted to Arizona to coach the Cardinals, and after missing out on Fangio, the Eagles landed on Sean Desai.
With the move now complete, here’s an instant analysis.
Dolphins were solid
Miami finished 10th in yards allowed (18th in 2022) and ninth in yards allowed per play (14th in 2022) with Fangio as defensive coordinator. The Dolphins also finished third in the NFL in sacks (56) and tied for eighth in forced turnovers (27).
The Eagles were No. 26 in yards and No. 30 in points allowed.
Fangio gets results
He has produced four top-3 scoring defenses and eight in the top 10. That is a solid resume.
Fangio will get results, while simplifying things for his team, and also making things difficult to prcoess for the opponent. The Eagles ranked 27th in turnover differential (minus-10) and tied for 20th in explosive-play differential (minus-13). The Dolphins ranked 12th in turnover differential (plus-2) and second in explosive-play differential (plus-57).
Fangio will cutdow on explosive plays
You can only do so much without talent, but Fangio will make the Eagles accountable on defense, while limiting explosive plays.
Sirianni has defined explosive plays as 10+ yards on runs, 16+ yards on passes. The Eagles were middling on offensive explosives, which needs fixing.
Defense (surrendered)
– Dolphins (113, T7th)
– Eagles (143, T27th)Offense (gained)
– Dolphins (170, 2nd)
– Eagles (130, 16th)— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) January 25, 2024
Changes are coming in the secondary
Reed Blankenship had a solid second season, but he’s no Brian Dawkins or C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and changes are coming to the Eagles secondary and there could literally be no cover guy or safety on the roster in 2024.
Given the level of importance placed on the safety position in Vic Fangio’ defense, more attention may be directed at retooling the position than in recent years.
While free agency offers a wide range of options — potentially including the Packers’ Darnell Savage and former…
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) January 27, 2024
Fangio has coached cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Chris Harris Jr. among others, and even wit the need for solid coverage skills, Fangio likes to use cornerbacks as force defenders in the run game.
