Vic Fangio came to the Broncos with four decades off experience, including four years as the mastermind of the Bears’ defense.
But that’s not what convinced Broncos star Von Miller that he was a top-notch coach. It was the grungy gray sweatshirt and basic shoes.
“If you’ve got a coach that’s up on fashion — I haven’t seen a coach that’s up on fashion and been great,” Miller joked this week. “All the great coaches wear the same sweater and the same shoes and really put ball first. Those are the great coaches.
“If you’ve got a coach that’s up on fashion and all the new stuff, he’s gotta get his priorities in order. Coach Fangio is definitely not one of those coaches. He’s for real.”
It appears Fangio’s down-to-earth, authentic personality is as endearing in Denver as it was at Halas Hall.
Miller thought he was an instant hit with his new players.
“He’s like that hard geometry teacher that loves teaching and as long as you pay attention, you’ll get it,” he said. “And with a dry sense of humor on top of that, that everybody loves.”
Fangio’s start with the Broncos has been a rough one.
He suffered from a kidney stone before his first preseason game as a head coach and remarked in the post-game press conference that “it wasn’t too bad.”
Regardless of the ailment, he might have enjoyed that game — a win — more than his actual debut. The Broncos lost 24-16 to the hapless Raiders in their season opener Monday.
“We’re disappointed in our loss, but we’re not discouraged,” Miller said. “The season just started. We don’t want anybody feeling down on themselves. Let that game go.
“Let’s double down. It’s like gambling. You go down and lose, but you go back to the ATM and get some more money and line back up and do it again.”
Huh?
“It might not make you a great gambler,” he said, “but it’ll make you a great football player.”
