Right Phins DC Is Critical First Step

Phins have heavy competition for Fangio hire

I like Vic Fangio as the Miami Dolphins 2023 defensive coordinator the best of all the options currently being discussed. His long experience as a coordinator and three seasons as a Head Coach would be invaluable asset to Mike McDaniel and in the transition from the Flores Zero to whatever is next on the menu. I’m not saying Kris Richard, Anthony Campanile, or Sean Desai might not end up the better choice, but they won’t bring the same depth of experience and there will be more growing pains than if Fangio was hired. The 2023 Season is critical for so many reasons, so dropping some games as the DC ripens, could be devastating in what appears to be a very competitive AFC East division.

Still, Miami must make the best out of whatever options they have.

Is Fangio waiting to see if other options are available?

Fangio wasn’t nailed down on Wednesday when he was interviewed, and it might be because he has a ton of other options that appear to be ahead of the Phins job on his list. The most notable of them are the Panthers and Eagles jobs. New Panthers Head Coach Frank Reich is going full press to get Fangio and the word is he is very interested. The Eagles are also hot on Fangio, where he was their defensive consultant this season, because their DC looks like he’ll be a serious contender for a HC job, which would allow Fangio an easy slide into a job he is prepped and intimately familiar with. You could also put the 49ers in there because DC Demeco Ryans appears destined to move from San Fran to the Texans HC job.

Added to these three teams’ advantage is Fangio has a history with all three where he has a clean slate with Miami.

The Phins brass is without a doubt hot and heavy for Fangio, but the same isn’t being reported about the Fangio’s interest in Miami. I assume Miami is an option, but more of a backup plan. Clearly the Eagles are 1 A with the Colts and possibly the 49ers as 2 A and B with Miami as option C.

So, the tea leaves are saying that most likely a young defensive coordinator is what is coming to lead the defense in 2023.

The best of the rest is?

The good news is Seattle’s Sean Desai was the Bears DC in 2021, so he isn’t totally green. He has been under fire as a play caller and is a Fangio disciple and trained under Pete Carroll this season. That’s some great mentors to have.

Now, while Anthony Campanile is green, green as a DC. On a positive note, as the Dolphins linebacker coach, Campanile has relationships with the Phins players and knows them well. That’s a good edge to have, but he would be a rookie play caller, so growing pains should be expected. Also, McDaniel does know him intimately as well, so that’s a plus too for maintaining chemistry.

Cowboys Kris Richard was interviewed to be the Dolphins HC in 2019 and has been the Co defensive coordinator in Dallas with Dan Quinn. So, he isn’t green, green either and he is highly regarded to be a Head Coach candidate.

For me, when you add it all up, Desai seems to be the better bet with the best football software to be the right guy for the job. But man, I really do want Fangio!

Let’s hope we nail this one because Miami can’t repeat the 2016 Season and must return to the playoff and win a game. Picking the right defensive coordinator is without doubt the first key step. Let’s hope we nail this move! Go Phins!!!