Bears hire former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio

Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will take the same position on John Fox’s staff with the Chicago Bears.

Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will take the same position on John Fox’s staff with the Chicago Bears, the team announced on Monday.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times' Adam Jahns, Bears linebackers coach Reggie Herring, tight ends coach Andy Bischoff and special teams assistant Dwayne Stukes are all no longer with the team.

Fangio spent the last four seasons with the 49ers and has 15 years of defensive coordinator experience, leading the defenses of the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans before coming to San Francisco. He has also been on the staffs of the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens.

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Fangio also met with the Washington Redskins about their vacant defensive coordinator position.

In four seasons with San Francisco, Fangio helped turn 49ers defense into one of the NFL’s best. The 49ers ranked in the top five in total defense each season under Fangio.

In 2014, San Francisco ranked fifth in total defense, but the team stumbled to a 8-8 record, missing the playoffs. The 49ers also led the NFL with 23 interceptions.

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Chicago ranked 30th in total defense during the 2014 season and gave up 27.6 points a game. Only the Oakland Raiders were worse in terms of scoring defense than the Bears. 

- Scooby Axson