Dunmore’s Vic Fangio gets his Super Bowl ring

By Steve Svetovich

Vic Fangio is making Dunmore proud.

He started his coaching career at the age of 21 in 1979 as a linebacker coach for late Dunmore legendary football coach Jack Henzes.

Two more years as a defensive coordinator under Henzes, one year as defensive coordinator at Milford Academy in Connecticut, a year as a graduate assistant at North Carolina, and two seasons as defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL got him ready for the NFL.

At age 28 in 1986 he was hired as linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints where he spent nine years.

The coaching jobs never stopped. He served as either linebackers coach or defensive coordinator from 1995 through 2018 for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Bears before becoming head football coach of the Denver Broncos from 2019 through 2021.

After a season as consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles, he became defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins in 2023.

In 2024, at age 66 he returned to the Philadelphia Eagles as defensive coordinator, leading the team as the No. 1 defense in the NFL.

And this past February 9, at age 66, Fangio earned his first Super Bowl ring as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, in Super Bowl LIX.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was Super Bowl MVP, completing 17-of-22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 71 yards on 11 carries and another touchdown.

But there were more than a few who were calling Fangio the MVP as the Eagles tough defense held down Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes for most of the game and limited Kansas City to only 49 yards on the ground. 

At one point, the Eagles held a convincing 40-6 lead.

Mahomes managed three touchdown passes, but two came late when the game was out of hand. Mahomes was intercepted twice, including one in which Eagles defensive back Cooper De Jean returned 38 yards for a touchdown. A visibly frustrated Mahomes was sacked six times and hit 11 times by a relentless Eagles defense.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott contributed field goals from 29, 48, 48 and 50 yards out.

With 46 years of coaching experience, including 39 in the NFL, Fangio has been a defensive coordinator for about half of those years.

He reflected on earning his first Super Bowl ring.

“It was very satisfying and a sense of accomplishment,” he said. “Many great coaches and players have never been to a Super Bowl, so to be a part of the winning team is a blessing.”

He talked about stopping the Chiefs running game.

“They didn’t have many running attempts,” he said. “They called some RPO’s that turned into passes. They only had one first down in the first half, so they didn’t have the normal amount of plays to get the running game going. But first and foremost, our guys did a good job playing the run against them.”

Fangio said the defensive scheme used to stop the passing game of Mahomes was “our pass rush and a mix of different coverages.”

Earning the Super Bowl ring is something Fangio started thinking about when he entered the NFL in 1986.

“I never thought about it until reaching the NFL. Then you have to be good enough to qualify for the playoffs and advance. At that point it becomes more realistic. There are many great players and coaches who never make it to the Super Bowl, let alone win one.”

The 1976 Dunmore graduate both played and coached under Henzes. Fangio spoke of the influence Henzes had on him. “Coach Henzes passion for the game, along with his knowledge, is what first turned me on to football and the coaching side of it.”

Fangio last month was named NFL defensive coordinator of the year. “I wasn’t aware of that,” he said. “Awards are more special when it’s with a team that won the Super Bowl.”

Fangio praised Hurts, the Super Bowl MVP. “I thought Jalen played a great game in all the ways that make him a special player.,He had a good day throwing to multiple players. He ran the ball, he scrambled and ran. It was a vintage Jalen game.”

Former Dunmore councilman Paul Nardozzi is a former classmate of Fangio. “Knowing Vic all these years,” he said, “he probably is not basking in the glory he so rightfully deserves. He’s a master defensive strategist, and being from Dunmore, where he was a star defensive back in high school, makes all of us proud in Bucktown. We called him Hector years ago. So congratulations to Hector on his first Super Bowl ring.”

Former Dunmore councilman Joe Tomko praised Fangio. “Vic’s success is a combination of his vast knowledge of the game and the hard work he puts in on a daily basis. His work ethic is clearly a reflection of where he grew up and the coach he learned from.”

Former Dunmore Mayor Patrick “Nibs” Loughney, now a Dunmore councilman, is a close friend of Fangio. “I would like to congratulate Vic and the rest of the Eagles on a great Super Bowl win. Vic is very knowledgeable about the game and it really showed.

“I’m thrilled he got his first Super Bowl ring. He is so deserving of it. He is a great Dunmorean and friend.”