The Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX mostly thanks to a dominant defensive showing. The Chiefs didn’t score their first points until the last minute of the third quarter, and Philadelphia forced three Patrick Mahomes turnovers.
Calling the shots for the Eagles on that side of the ball was defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who spent 2023 with the Miami Dolphins before the two sides mutually agreed to part ways after one underwhelming season.
While injuries played a huge part in Fangio’s brief and lackluster tenure in Miami, players on the Dolphins defense weren’t too sad to see him go. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and safety Jevón Holland both took thinly veiled shots at Fangio upon his departure. On Sunday, the latter couldn’t help but tip his hat to his former coach, though.
Vic calling a HELL of a game!
— Jev (@quickdrawjev) February 10, 2025
After parting with Fangio, the Dolphins found a solid replacement at defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver. The team finished 2024 with the fourth fewest yards allowed and tenth fewest points allowed.
Holland may have missed Fangio, though. In his fourth NFL season, the safety had arguably his worst year, leaving the Dolphins with a tough choice as he’s due to reach free agency in March. But in his only year with Fangio, Holland was one of three safeties in the NFL (along with the Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr. and Falcons’ Jessie Bates) to receive a PFF grade above 90.