With an extensive coaching background that spans over two decades, Vic Fangio is in his first season as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.
Fangio enters his 25th season coaching in the NFL, which includes 11 years of experience as a defensive coordinator for three NFL teams - Carolina (1995-98), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001) and Houston Texans (2002-05). As a defensive coordinator, Fangio has directed defensive units that have led the NFL or ranked among the top three teams in seven or more major statistical categories.
With an extensive coaching background that spans over two decades, Vic Fangio is in his first season as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.
Fangio enters his 25th season coaching in the NFL, which includes 11 years of experience as a defensive coordinator for three NFL teams - Carolina (1995-98), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001) and Houston Texans (2002-05). As a defensive coordinator, Fangio has directed defensive units that have led the NFL or ranked among the top three teams in seven or more major statistical categories.
Fangio most recently served a one year stint as the defensive coordinator for Stanford in 2010, where he led one of the nation’s top defenses. He was unanimously selected as college football’s Defensive Coordinator of the Year by three different media entities.
The Cardinal defense made significant strides under Fangio’s guidance, improving from a 90th ranked unit nationally in 2009 to a defense that ranked in the top-25 nationally in six major defensive categories in 2010. Stanford finished the year ranked 10th in scoring defense (17.4 points/game), 11th in sacks (36), 16th in passing defensive efficiency (112.79), 19th in rushing defense (120.8 yards/game), t-19th in interceptions (18) and 21st in total defense (322.8 yards/game). Within the Pac-10 Conference, the Cardinal improved from 8th to 1st in both scoring defense and sacks, while moving from 9th to 2nd in takeaways and yards allowed. In addition, Stanford posted three Pac-10 shutouts on the year; marking the first time ever the Cardinal had held opponents scoreless in three contests in a single season.
Prior to joining Stanford, Fangio served on the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff from 2006-09 as a special assistant to the head coach and linebackers coach. In his four seasons with Baltimore, the Ravens led the NFL in total defense in 2006, ranked second in 2008 and third in 2009.
Fangio spent the previous four seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans (2002-05). His 2002 defense ranked eighth in the AFC overall and fourth in the conference in pass defense. The Texans scored three defensive touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Week 14 en route to a 24-6 victory.
In 2004, the Texans set a team record and ranked fifth in the NFL with 22 interceptions, five of which were returned for touchdowns. Houston did not allow a touchdown for 13 straight quarters from Week 13 to 16, posting the longest stretch by any team in the league that season.
Fangio served as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts from 1999-2001. The Colts posted a 13-3 record in Fangio’s first season after going just 6-26 the previous two years. Indianapolis won its first division title in 15 years, while the Colts defense improved from last to 15th under his guidance. The 2000 Colt defense tallied 42 sacks and made strides in all other statistical categories.
In 1995, Fangio was named defensive coordinator of the expansion Carolina Panthers under head coach Dom Capers. The Panthers tied for seventh in total defense and ranked sixth in scoring defense, 10th in rushing defense, fifth in takeaways and second in defensive passer rating in its inaugural season.
In 1996, the Panthers won the NFC West title and reached the NFC Championship game in just their second year of existence. The Panther defense allowed just 218 points on the year, ranking second in the NFL. Carolina also yielded just five touchdowns and 56 points after halftime for the entire season, breaking an NFL record set by the 1985 Chicago Bears that still stands today. The Panthers defense also led the NFL in sacks and 3rd down defense. Fangio’s defense featured three All-Pro linebackers in Lamar Lathon, Sam Mills and Kevin Greene.
Fangio spent nine seasons as the linebackers coach of the New Orleans Saints, starting in 1986. In his second year, the Saints advanced to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and came back the following year to finish with a 10-6 record. Fangio coached the vaunted “Dome Patrol,” which included All-Pro linebackers Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson. The group was the only linebacking unit from one team voted to the Pro Bowl on the first ballot. That group was later voted the best linebacking unit in NFL history by NFL Network.
After attending East Stroudsburg University, Fangio began his coaching career in 1979 as the linebackers coach at his alma mater, Dunmore (PA) High School, and was later promoted to defensive coordinator in 1980. He spent 1982 as the defensive coordinator at Milford (CT.) Academy before landing his first collegiate coaching position at the University of North Carolina, where he served as a graduate assistant in 1983.
Following a one-year stay in Chapel Hill, Fangio spent the 1984 and 1985 seasons as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL, helping the team to back-to-back league titles.
Fangio was inducted into the Northeast Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 1993. Vic has one son, Christian, and one daughter, Cassie.
