Former San Francisco 49ers defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio has taken the same job with the Chicago Bears under new coach John Fox, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Fangio has signed his new contract, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because there had been no formal announcement.
The 56-year-old Fangio had been a candidate for the defensive co-ordinator job with the Washington Redskins, who hired Joe Barry on Tuesday.
Fangio interviewed but was bypassed for the 49ers’ coaching job, given to defensive line coach Jim Tomsula last week.
Fangio just finished his fourth season as 49ers defensive co-ordinator after coming from Stanford with former coach Jim Harbaugh before the 2011 season. San Francisco, which missed the playoffs at 8-8 last season following three straight NFC championship game appearances, had one of the NFL’s top defences during his tenure.
But that unit struggled to find any consistency last season given the injuries of star linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, and the nine-game suspension of linebacker Aldon Smith to start the year. Nose tackles Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey went down, too, and cornerback Tramaine Brock and top rookie and first-round draft pick defensive back Jimmie Ward.
Rookie linebacker Chris Borland was among those to shine with a new-look linebacker corps featuring Dan Skuta and Michael Wilhoite.
"It usually happens in droves that way sometimes," Fangio said about the rash of injuries. "Like I said, I’ve been in the NFL a long time. There’s been other years like this. You can’t let it get your dauber down. You just have to keep your focus, keep the blinders on and do the best you can do. … It’s challenging, but you have to deal with the circumstances you’re dealt with whenever they’re dealt to you."
Fangio has 28 years of NFL coaching experience with 15 seasons as a defensive co-ordinator — Carolina (1995-98), Indianapolis (1999-2001), Houston (2002-05) and San Francisco. He also worked for the Saints and Ravens.
During his first three seasons with the 49ers, they were the only team to rank in the top-five in these nine categories: points allowed (16.1 points per game, first), rush defence (89.1 yards per game, first), rushing average (3.7 yards per carry, first), first downs allowed (835, first), opposing quarterback rating (76.0 rating, second), yards allowed (306.5 yards per game, third), 20-plus yard plays allowed (147, third), takeaways (93, fifth) and third-down defence (34.1 per cent, fifth).