Dunmore native Vic Fangio once again will lead the Philadelphia Eagles defense in an NFL playoff game Sunday as the Birds face the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs at Lincoln Financial Field.
It’s a familiar spot for Fangio, who has forged a remarkably successful coaching career that was born on the fields of Northeast Pennsylvania, a fact that is never far from his mind. When he was introduced as the Denver Broncos head coach in 2019, Fangio talked about his football upbringing and another of the area’s legendary coaches.
“I want to thank Jack Henzes, my high school coach, for his passion and excellence in football and in coaching. It is what motivated me … I caught his passion for the game and I decided from that point on that I wanted to be a football coach,” Fangio said at the time.
After leaving Dunmore following a two-year stint as the Bucks’ defensive coordinator in 1981, Fangio embarked on a coaching career that, between the collegiate and professional ranks, has lasted more than 40 years. The Eagles are his seventh stop as a defensive coordinator, and six of those franchises made the playoffs at least once with him running their defenses. Fangio has coached in one Super Bowl, reaching the big game as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens on Feb. 3, 2013, a game won by the Ravens, 34-31 at the Superdome in New Orleans.
With a win Sunday, the Eagles can take him back to a conference championship game for the first time as an on-field coach since he helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game during the 2013-14 season.
Here are some images from some of Fangio’s coaching stints across the NFL.
Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos watches the action against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio talks with an official at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 5, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Denver Broncos lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 9 to 22. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Head coach Vic Fangio walks the sideline late in the game as the Denver Broncos took on the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 15, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos argues with a referee during the second half of Denver’s 32-27 win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio argues with head linesman Jim Howey (37) during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (left) and general manager Howie Roseman talk during training camp at the NovaCare Complex on Aug. 18, 2024, in Philadelphia. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)
May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (right) instructs linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-181052
The Denver Broncos Pres. of Football Ops./GM John Elway and Head Coach Vic Fangio speak during a press conferences to introduce their new quarterback Joe Flacco March 15, 2019, in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio sign a helmet for 14 year old Jeremia Johnson of Seattle as he leaves the tunnel for the Denver Broncos to take on the Atlanta Falcons in the Hall of Fame game at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 1, 2019 in Canton, Ohio (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio takes questions from the media following NFL football practice, Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio works with his defense at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio greets Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich during pregame activities at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Left, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, speaks with Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70), before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Reds, at Wrigley Field, in Chicago, on Sunday, July 8, 2018. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio looks on against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Dec. 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio looks on during warmups before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
FILE – In this July 30, 2011, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gestures during NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. The former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has taken the same job with the Chicago Bears under new coach John Fox, a person with knowledge of the deal said, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos roams the sidelines during the fourth quarter of Philadelphia’s 30-13 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) ORG XMIT: ILMC10
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio at Bears rookie minicamp held at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Friday, May 12, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
FILE – In this July 30, 2011, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gestures during NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. The former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has taken the same job with the Chicago Bears under new coach John Fox, a person with knowledge of the deal said, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio and Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy talk during pregame activities at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Senior players on the Dunmore High School football team that won the Big 11 championship were, first row, from left: assistant coach Paul Marranca, Mike Loretti, Robert Mesko, Bob Judge, Cory Meade and Joe Marrazzo. Second row: Vic Fangio, Joe Tabone, Rick Ciaglia, Tim Ruddy, Mike Sandone and Bill Butler. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Scranton times-tribune
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is helping the Eagles defense excel on the field and finding ways to connect with his players off of it. (Yong Kim/The Philadelphia Inquirer)
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Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos watches the action against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Dunmore’s Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles – Scranton Times-Tribune
Dunmore native Vic Fangio has made a name for himself as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL. Currently serving as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Fangio has been instrumental in shaping the team’s defense into one of the most formidable units in the league.
Fangio’s journey to the NFL has been a long and successful one. After starting his coaching career at the high school level, Fangio worked his way up through the ranks, eventually landing positions with several NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Bears.
Known for his strategic acumen and attention to detail, Fangio has earned a reputation as a master tactician on the defensive side of the ball. His ability to scheme and adjust on the fly has helped the Eagles defense shut down some of the best offenses in the league.
In addition to his coaching skills, Fangio is also respected for his leadership abilities and the rapport he builds with his players. His no-nonsense approach and commitment to excellence have endeared him to both his players and fellow coaches.
As a proud native of Dunmore, Fangio continues to inspire young athletes in his hometown and beyond. His success at the highest levels of professional football serves as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance required to achieve greatness in any field.
With Fangio at the helm, the Philadelphia Eagles defense looks poised to continue its dominance in the NFL. Fans can rest assured that Dunmore’s own Vic Fangio will continue to uphold his reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in the league.
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