San Francisco 49ers: 5 Big Name Head Coaches to Replace Harbaugh
5. Vic Fangio (current 49ers’ defensive coordinator)
December 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi
Vic Fangio has been perhaps the most underrated defensive figure in the NFL for the last twenty years. Working as a linebackers coach and a defensive coordinator at various points in his career, Fangio appears to finally be in position to land his first head coaching gig.
In his four seasons in San Francisco, Fangio has transformed the Niners into a defensive powerhouse, his unit never ranking outside the top five in defensive rating. This past season, he put forth his most masterful performance, maintaining his defense’s stinginess despite dealing with a rash of injuries to key players.
If the Niners do hire Fangio as the head coach, they would likely have to hire a great offensive coordinator to pair with him. However, he might just be worth the trouble. Fangio deserves his shot as a head coach, and the Niners would be wise to provide him with it.