Report: Dolphins hire Vic Fangio, make him NFL's highest-paid coordinator

The Dolphins have hired former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator, giving him a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option that will make him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL, according to the NFL Network.

Fangio will officially accept the position on the Miami staff after the Super Bowl, by ESPN.

Fangio struggled in Denver during his three seasons as head coach, but is highly regarded as a defensive coordinator from his stints with the 49ers and Bears.

Fangio’s defenses in each of his four seasons with San Francisco ranked in the top 10 in both yards and points allowed and helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. He then rebuilt Chicago’s defense in one that allowed the third fewest yards and points in 2018, leading the Bears to an NFC North title and a playoff berth that year.

Fangio did not coach during the 2022 season, but was reportedly highly sought after during this coaching cycle. Several coaches in Mike Shanahan’s coaching tree, including Dolphins head coaching mentors Mike McDaniel, Matt LaFleur and Kyle Shanahan, have publicly expressed their admiration for Fangio’s defense. Now, McDaniel is turning to Fangio to help fix what was a struggling Dolphins defense in 2022.

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