Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is a big Phillies fan. (Ty Daubert/Phillies Nation)
Fresh off a Super Bowl LIX victory in February, Eagles defensive coordinator took in batting practice on Wednesday from the field at Citizens Bank Park. The veteran football coach is a lifelong Phillies fan, and he was confident in his favorite baseball team’s chances to compete in 2025 ahead of their game against the Rockies.
“I think they’ll be right there in the hunt,” Fangio told Phillies Nation. “Probably win between 92 and 95 games, and I don’t know if that would be enough to win the division. But hopefully when they get in the playoffs, they’ll get hot and make some noise.”
The 66-year-old Fangio grew up in Pennsylvania, graduating from Dunmore High School in the Scranton area in 1976. He was a close follower of Philly sports in his youth, growing up going to Connie Mack Stadium and the Vet. It was tougher for Fangio to see the Eagles play as a kid, attending only a handful of NFL games, but trips to see the Phillies were a regularity.
“My family was Phillies fans, and I loved baseball,” Fangio said. “They were my team.”
One of the most respected defensive coaches in the sport, Fangio served as the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2019 to 2021 and joined the Eagles as their coordinator this past season. Philadelphia marched to a championship in his first year guiding the defense.
Fangio got his start as a professional football coach in Philadelphia as an assistant for the USFL’s Stars in 1984. He stuck with the team as it moved to Baltimore in 1985, then made the jump to the NFL the next year. He’s now coached 33 seasons in the NFL with experience in college as well.
Despite his busy schedule as a coach, Fangio still makes time to watch the Phillies. He likes Bryson Stott — although, not as much as his beloved Mike Schmidt or Dick Allen. He now attends about four or five games at Citizens Bank Park per season and tunes in when he can otherwise.
“If they’re on TV and I’m home, I’ll watch them,” Fangio said.
Fangio said he believes there will be plenty of buzz surrounding the Phillies this year. The team has World Series aspirations, and the fans just watched the Eagles win a title. The quest for another this baseball season should create an exciting atmosphere.
“The city of Philadelphia revolves around their pro sports teams,” Fangio said, “and when one or two of them have got it going and they’re serious threats to win it all, it just uplifts everybody. It’s the main talking point for everybody. Just everybody rallies behind it, and they love it.”
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