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60-year-old Vic Fangio has been a staple on the NFL field for quite some time, but hasn't been hired as a head coach.
That all changed recently, however, when the Denver Broncos hired him as their head coach.
There are a few theories as to why it took Fangio this long to pick up a big-time gig, but he had a theory of his own that he shared with Ian Rapoport.
New #Broncos coach Vic Fangio on why he was hired now: “Basically, I’ve never fit the profile of what certain teams were looking for. … Fortunately I matched the profile of what John (Elway) was looking for."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2019
Fangio started his professional career in 1984, when he served as a defensive assistant of the USFL's Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars. He started his NFL career in earnest in 1986, when he served as the linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints. He served in that same position for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009.
For most of his career, however, he's been best known as a defensive coordinator. He served in that position for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and the Chicago Bears.
Throughout his career, Vic Fangio has served under some well-known and well-respected coaches, including John Harbaugh, Jim Mora, Dom Capers, and Brian Billick.
Vic Fangio was hired by John Elway and company after the Denver Broncos fired Vance Joseph, who led the team into one of its worst losing streaks since the 1971-1972 season. Mike Munchak of the Pittsburgh Steelers was also, reportedly, in serious contention for the head coaching position, as was Brian Flores, the defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots (who is, as of this writing, in contention for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position left vacant with the firing of Adam Gase, who is now the head coach for the New York Jets).
