Miami Dolphins name Fangio defensive coordinator
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February 15, 2023
Miami Dolphins name Fangio defensive coordinator
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today named veteran NFL coach Vic Fangio defensive coordinator.
Fangio has 36 years of NFL coaching experience and has spent 22 of the past 28 seasons as either an NFL head coach or defensive coordinator. He has coached three Hall of Fame players – linebacker Kevin Greene, linebacker Rickey Jackson and linebacker Ray Lewis – along with the 1991 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Pat Swilling. Fangio has coached 29 players who have a combined 48 Pro Bowl selections.
As the defensive play-caller for San Francisco (2011-14), Chicago (2015-18) and Denver (2019-21), Fangio led top 10 scoring defenses in eight of his past 11 seasons. He also led top 10 total defenses in seven of his past 11 seasons as a full-time coach.
Fangio was named AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018 as his Bears defense led the league in scoring (17.7 points allowed per game) and was third in total defense (299.7 yards allowed per game). From 2011 to 2013, the 49ers finished top three in scoring defense each season.
He has helped seven different organizations reach the postseason 15 times.
Fangio most recently served as a consultant with the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles during the 2022 playoffs. He was previously the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2019-21. In his final season in Denver (2021), the Broncos were third in scoring defense (18.9) and eighth in total defense (326.1). They led the NFL in red zone defense in both 2019 (39.1) and 2020 (47.5) and finished third in the category in 2021 (50.0). The Broncos were top five in the NFL in fewest defensive penalties in both 2020 (T-3rd, 30) and 2021 (T-2nd, 25).
Prior to being a head coach, Fangio served as a defensive coordinator for five different NFL franchises – Chicago (2015-18), San Francisco (2011-14), Houston (2002-05), Indianapolis (1999-2001) and Carolina (1995-98). He also was the defensive coordinator for Stanford University’s Orange Bowl season in 2010 and served multiple roles on Baltimore’s staff from 2006-09.
Fangio’s first NFL position was linebackers coach for nine seasons (1986-94) for New Orleans. He also spent time as a defensive assistant for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL from 1984-85 and was a graduate assistant at the University of North Carolina in 1983. Fangio began his coaching career at Dunmore (Pa.) High School as linebackers coach in 1979 before being promoted to defensive coordinator from 1980-81 and assuming the same position at Milford (Conn.) Academy in 1982.
Fangio was inducted into the Northeast Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 1993. He’s a graduate of East Stroudsburg University.
Thomas becomes 11th Dolphin elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
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February 9, 2023
Thomas becomes 11th Dolphin elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Pro Football Hall of Fame tonight announced linebacker Zach Thomas has been elected as part of the nine-man Class of 2023 to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thomas is the 11th player or coach from the Miami Dolphins to earn the game’s greatest honor.
Thomas was one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. His career spanned 13 seasons – 12 of them with Miami – and his 1,734 career tackles rank fifth in NFL history (since records began in 1987). His seven Pro Bowl selections are the most all-time by a Dolphins defender and he was named first-team All-Pro five times.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Thomas said. “Growing up in Texas, I dreamed of playing football at any level. To have played at Texas Tech and then be drafted by the Dolphins was the ultimate. It was indeed a dream come true. I want to thank my family for all the sacrifices they made for me over the years. I could never have accomplished this without your love and support. Thank you to all of my teammates. Each of you made me a better player and are a big part of where I am today. I’m looking forward to celebrating this with all of you. Thanks to all my coaches, trainers and equipment staff for helping this honor become a reality. Lastly, I want to thank the Dolphins fans. Your support means everything to me.”
A fifth-round draft pick (154th overall) by Miami in the 1996 NFL Draft, Thomas quickly established himself as one of the league’s top players, winning the 1996 AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He went on to lead the NFL in tackles twice, lead the Dolphins in tackles 10 times, earn two Dan Marino Team MVP awards, three Don Shula Leadership honors and was named NFL Linebacker of the Year twice. Thomas was Miami’s middle linebacker during a run of seven straight seasons (1998-2004) that the Dolphins finished top 10 in total defense.
“On behalf of the entire Dolphins organization and our fans around the world, I want to congratulate Zach on his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” said Dolphins Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross. “It was a joy to watch him play the game. Zach’s accomplishments on the field made him one of the greatest players in NFL history. His development from a fifth-round draft choice to a perennial Pro Bowl selection to receiving the most prestigious honor this game has to offer is a testament to his ability as both a player and a student of the game. As great as he was on the field, he is even better as a family man and a role model. We look forward to celebrating with him in Canton.”
Thomas becomes the third defensive player in team history to earn a bust in Canton, Ohio, joining legendary linebacker Nick Buoniconti and defensive end Jason Taylor. Other Dolphins enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame include coach Don Shula, fullback Larry Csonka, quarterback Bob Griese, center Jim Langer, guard Larry Little, quarterback Dan Marino, center Dwight Stephenson and wide receiver Paul Warfield.
The Class of 2023 will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Tickets for Enshrinement will go on sale in the coming weeks.
