Philadelphia Eagles Confirm Vic Fangio as Defensive Coordinator and Eye Kliff Kingsbury for Offensive Role
The Philadelphia Eagles made an official announcement on Saturday afternoon confirming Vic Fangio as their defensive coordinator, finally putting an end to one of the worst-kept secrets. Additionally, the Eagles seem to be nearing the appointment of an offensive coordinator, with former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury emerging as a strong contender.
Last season, Kingsbury, aged 44, served as a senior offensive consultant for USC, where he closely collaborated with Caleb Williams, a potential top pick in the upcoming draft. Connections to Kingsbury may be present due to the friendship between Lincoln Riley, USC’s head coach, and Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ general manager.
Following Wednesday’s announcement of Fangio’s departure from his former team, the Miami Dolphins, rumors began circulating about his impending move to Philadelphia. Interestingly, during the Eagles’ end-of-season press conference with Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni on Wednesday, it was revealed, nine days after the season’s conclusion, that Fangio, aged 65, would be leaving the Dolphins.
Curiously, the press conference started thirty minutes later than scheduled, citing “meetings” as the reason for the delay. Given that the season had already ended, this delay raised questions about the nature of the discussions that necessitated it. Speculations arose that the Eagles had already engaged in conversations with Fangio or his agent over the phone.
Having previously hired Fangio as a consultant during last year’s postseason, the Eagles had a glimpse of what to expect, albeit on the offensive side of the ball, between the NFC title game and Super Bowl appearance. Fangio is renowned as a stern taskmaster who holds his defensive players accountable, as observed by cornerback Cam Smith, a second-round rookie pick of the Dolphins, who experienced the rigors of Fangio’s discipline firsthand.
Born in Dumore, Pennsylvania, Fangio maintained a close relationship with former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon during Gannon’s tenure with the team, until Gannon departed to become the Cardinals’ head coach following the Super Bowl. Fangio’s signing by the Dolphins as their defensive coordinator preceded Gannon’s confirmation as the Cardinals’ head coach, with Fangio initially expected to assume the Eagles’ defensive coordinator role after Gannon’s departure.
In the past season, the Dolphins boasted a 10th overall defense, ranking 7th against the run and 15th against the pass, with impressive turnover numbers. Conversely, the Eagles struggled defensively, ranking 26th overall, with significant disparities in pass defense and turnovers forced. With Fangio’s appointment, Roseman faces the task of equipping him with the necessary resources to bolster the Eagles’ defense, recognizing the significance of coaching alongside personnel in achieving defensive success.
