Vic Fangio | The Dunmorean

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.”

Winning Super Bowl defense coach Vic Fangio is shown as one of the backfield players for the Dunmore Bucks in the 1970s (back row, second from left). Shown kneeling from left are teammates Tony Valvano, Mike Loretti, Ricky Caglia, Bob Mesko, and Bill Butler. Standing, same order: Frank Gianzanti, Vic Fangio, Joe Marrazzo, Corey Meade, and Bob Judge.

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.”

By Steve Svetovich

Patience and long hours of hard work pay off. Dunmore’s Victor Fangio, 60, is living proof. And for the 1976 Dunmore High School graduate it took 40 years.

That’s 40 years of coaching experience that finally took him to the top of the helm.

Son of Alice and the late Victor, Sr., Fangio, the former Dunmore High School safety-wide receiver was named head football coach of the NFL Denver Broncos last month (January 10).

His mom, the former Alice Kozlowski, 92 and very spry, continues to reside in Dunmore. And her reaction?

“Well, I was thrilled for him,” she said. “He was finally recognized. He can do the job. And the Denver Broncos recognize it.”

Fangio, who played football at Dunmore under the legendary Jack Henzes, is known as a man of stature but of few words.

So it is not surprising to hear how he provided the news to his mom. “He called me after the word got out,” she said. “He said he got the appointment. And that was about it. He does not show any emotion. He is not that type.

“A lot of people in Dunmore called with their congratulations.

“I am just sorry his father was not here to see this. It has been a long road.”

The mother of the new Denver Broncos head football coach has four sons, one daughter, 20 grandchildren and two on the way.

One of Fangio’s brothers, Tony, is retired and lives in Colorado Springs just one hour from Denver, Colorado. “He will be close enough to see Vic a lot. I hope to get there to a game myself during the warmer weather.”

Fangio returns to Dunmore occasionally in the off season and gathers with friends often at Ragnacci’s Restaurant in the borough, said his mom.

“His friends are proud of him. He has many of the same friends he always had in Dunmore. I am getting a lot of calls from them.”

Former Dunmore Councilman Paul Nardozzi roots for the New York Giants, but is a huge football fan who knows Fangio and follows his career. “I’ve known him for many years and he is so deserving of that position,” he said. “It took a lot of years of hard work and perserverance. Being from Dunmore, he truly displays Dunmore pride. I am very happy for Vic.”

bucks After playing football and graduating from Dunmore in 1976, Fangio was a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Henzes at his alma mater from 1979 to 1981.

He took on a position as defensive coordinator at Milford Academy in Connecticut in 1982.

In 1984, he was defensive assistant for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL.

He received a big break in the NFL coaching ranks when he was named linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints in 1986, holding the position through 1994.

He was the Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator from 1995 to 1998.

Fangio was the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2001.

He became the Houston Texans defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2005.

Fangio became special assistant to the head coach and defensive assistant for the Baltimore Ravens from 2006 to 2008.

He became the Ravens linebackers coach in 2009.

He became defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford University in 2010.

He followed Harbaugh to the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 when Harbaugh became head coach there. Fangio served as defensive coordinator under Harbaugh from 2011 to 2014.

The 49ers under the coaching of Harbaugh and Fangio, led the NFL in forced turnovers (36) in 2011.

Vic Fangio with Bears Fangio was released from his contract shortly after Harbaugh was let go by the 49ers in January of 2015.

Fangio then took over as defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears from 2015 to 2018.

Fangio’s coaching helped the Bears lead the NFL in forced turnovers and interceptions this past year. The Bears were second defensively in yards per play, first in scoring defense and third in total defense.

Fangio, who was interviewed last year for the Bears head coaching position, received much of the credit for Chicago’s defensive resurgence this past season.

He was honored last month by the Pro Football Writers Association as the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.

And now off to Denver as he continues making his mom and Dunmore proud.