Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Could Vic Fangio be in play for the 49ers?

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/30/23

Despite reports that Vic Fangio had accepted the defensive coordinator position with the Miami Dolphins over the weekend, it appears the 64-year-old coach may be waiting for another job to come open.

According to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver, Fangio confirmed that he hasn’t committed to any job just yet as the NFL coaching carousel is firmly still in motion. He also stated the same thing to Mike Klis of 9News.

For what it's worth, Vic Fangio told me late last night, "Nothing has been decided on my end." There is a huge amount of mutual respect between Kyle Shanahan and Fangio, a highly successful Niners DC under Jim Harbaugh. And it appears the 49ers will have an opening soon.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 30, 2023

As Silver points out, the 49ers are expected to have a defensive-coordinator opening with Demeco Ryans likely to be hired as the new head coach of the Houston Texans. Fangio, who was the 49ers defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2014 under former head coach Jim Harbaugh, would be a logical successor to Ryans.

San Francisco had a top-five defense in each of Fangio’s four seasons as DC, ranking in the top 10 in scoring every year as well.

Fangio would be the first prominent coach to change his mind after initially agreeing to take another job since Josh McDaniels accepted the head coaching job with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 but later decided to remain as offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

Whomever is San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in 2023 will be given the reins of the No. 1 defense in 2022. The 49ers allowed just 300.6 yards of total offense per game while allowing the fewest points per game (16.3) and the second-fewest rushing yards per game (77.7).

The 49ers return several defensive starters next season including multiple All-Pros and Pro Bowlers like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Talanoa Hufanga.

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