Welp, that was quick.
On Friday night, CBS Sports senior NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that new Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich was targeting old friend Vic Fangio for the team’s defensive coordinator position. In fact, Anderson even noted that the potential reunion between the franchise and its first-ever defensive coordinator was gaining momentum.
Yeah, about that . . .
A few hours later, Joe Person of The Athletic added a bit more to the story. He tweeted out, even despite follow-up talks from their initial interview, that a deal between the 64-year-old and the Panthers is now “unlikely at this point.”
Panthers have had follow-up discussions with Vic Fangio since he interviewed for their defensive coordinator position. But a deal is considered unlikely at this point, per sources.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 28, 2023
Fangio spent four seasons as Carolina’s defensive coordinator, from their inaugural campaign in 1995 to 1998. The Panthers defense ranked seventh, 10th, 15th and 32nd overall in each of those years.
Like his units during that tenure, Fangio’s return to Charlotte seems to be losing steam. He’s one of three candidates, including New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel and New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard, to interview for the vacancy.
