Report: Vic Fangio plans to return as Eagles defensive coordinator in 2026

Vic Fangio is reportedly returning to be the Eagles' defensive coordinator in 2026.

By Reuben Frank • Published February 4, 2026

They lost one legendary assistant coach. The other one is staying.

The 67-year-old Vic Fangio, who just about sent Philly into a panic with word that he was considering retirement, plans to return in 2026 for a third season as Eagles defensive coordinator, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday evening.

That’s a bit of good news on the day legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland announced that he was leaving the organization after 13 years.

In his two years as defensive coordinator, the Eagles have allowed the 2^nd-fewest points in the NFL (six more than the Broncos), the 2^nd-fewest totals yards (five more than the Texans), the the fewest passing yards and the 6^th-most takeaways. 

When the Eagles ranked No. 1 in defense in 2024 after ranking 26^th in 2023, that was the biggest jump in NFL history for any defense.

The Super Bowl was a masterpiece for Fangio, holding Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to six points and 218 points through 57 minutes on the way to the Eagles’ fifth NFL championship.

This year was a disappointing one for the Eagles, who won their second straight NFC East title but lost a home wild-card game to the 49ers as a 6 ½-point favorite. But it was another very good season for Fangio’s defense, which ranked fifth with 19.1 points allowed, seventh in yards allowed per play and first in both passing touchdowns allowed and opposing quarterback completion percentage.

Fangio has been coaching for 47 years going back to 1979 at his alma mater, Dunmore High School in Lackawanna County, a couple hours north of Philly. He began his pro coaching career under Jim Mora with the Philadelphia Stars in 1984 before beginning his NFL coaching career in 1986 under Mora with the Saints.

Fangio spent 2022 as a consultant with the Eagles before a year running the defense with the Dolphins under Mike McDaniel in 2023. When Jonathan Gannon became Cards head coach and the Dolphins cut ties with Fangio, the Eagles hired Fangio as defensive coordinator.

"When the opening occurred, I really wanted to come back,” he said in an interview last year. "I’ve been doing this for 38 years now, so when you get to this point in your career, you’re looking for the perfect situation. That it happened now, it was such a blessing.

"I always wanted to come back here and this will be my last coaching job, and I’m thrilled to be here.”

The heir apparent to Fangio was defensive backs coach Christian Parker, but he accepted the defensive coordinator job with the Cowboys last week, which raised questions how the Eagles could let him go while Fangio’s future was still uncertain.

Clint Hurtt, who was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023, would have been next in line to replace Fangio, but the Eagles also risked losing him. Hurtt interviewed for the Dolphins’ DC job under Jeff Hafley before Miami hired former Packers linebackers coach Sean Duggan as defensive coordinator.

Fangio grew up going to Phillies games at Connie Mack Stadium and the Vet and remembered going to the 1976 All-Star game and watching Mark "The Bird” Fidrych pitch. 

"When I got to be with the Stars and driving into work every day and Veterans Stadium was my office? That was a thrill, and I really, really enjoyed that,” he said. "Got to know everybody that worked at the Vet. That was our homestead.

"It’s nice to be back home. You know, pseudo home. I have a lot of family within a couple hours and they’ve been able to come down and watch some games, stay at the house, and that’s been really nice. Something I haven’t had in a long time.”

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/vic-fangio-return-defensive-coordinator-2026/711887/