ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have agreed to terms with Vic Fangio to become the 17th head coach in franchise history, the team announced Thursday.
The Broncos interviewed Fangio in Chicago on Monday, and the former Bears defensive coordinator agreed to a deal on Thursday.
"Vic really impressed us with his attention to detail — His focus is on teaching the fundamentals, technique and playing disciplined football," President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway said. "Going through this process and talking to many qualified candidates, it became clear that Vic was the best choice to lead our team.
"There are few things that Vic has not seen in 40 years of coaching. He's been great on the defensive side of the ball for a number of years with a simple, detailed approach that gets results. With his intelligence and experience, Vic is as good of a football coach as you can find. He's the perfect fit and exactly what we need as head coach of the Denver Broncos."
After 32 seasons of NFL experience — 19 of which came as a defensive coordinator — Fangio will serve as a head coach for the first time. He just completed a season in which he helped forge Chicago's defense into one of the NFL's best units.
The Bears finished the season ranked first in scoring defense — allowing just 17.7 points per game — and also led the league in a number of other metrics, including takeaways, rushing yards allowed per game and yards per play allowed.
Photos from new Broncos Head Coach Vic Fangio's coaching career.
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio watches before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2015 file photo, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, right, works with linebacker Kyle Woestmann during an NFL football training camp at Olivet Nazarene University, in Bourbonnais, Ill. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Fangio could be candidates for head coaching jobs after helping lay a solid foundation in their first year in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio looks on as players takes part in drills during a joint NFL football training camp session with the Denver Broncos Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at Broncos' headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio takes part in drills during a joint NFL football training camp session Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at Broncos' headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio autographs for fans during an NFL football training camp in Bourbonnais, Ill., Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, left, coaches linebacker Parys Haralson during practice at an NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif., Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio watches players during the NFL football team's voluntary veteran minicamp Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in Lake Forest, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio walks to the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio walks around before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio at an NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, center, directs his players at their NFL football training facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. The 49ers are scheduled to face the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC championship game Sunday. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
FILE - In this July 30, 2011 file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio gestures during football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. Fangio has turned the 49ers' defense into one of the NFLÕs best in his first year, engineering the same kind of turnaround he did at Stanford under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Stanford players nicknamed him ÒLord FangioÓ for his ÒmaniacalÓ voice and the Òevil geniusÓ behind his schemes, and the Niners also have embraced his ways. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, file)
Fangio helped spur four of his players — Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson — to Pro Bowl nods. Mack, Fuller and Jackson were also named first-team All-Pro selections.
Now, Fangio will lead as a head coach in Denver, where he will try to replicate his success with a core of talented defensive players that includes Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Chubb.
The coaching veteran will be tasked with helping the Broncos return to the postseason after three playoff-less years. And while he is now a head coach for the first time, he's served as a defensive coordinator for five different teams and has also held a number of roles as a position coach.
In addition to Fangio, the Broncos conducted interviews with four other candidates: Mike Munchak, Brian Flores, Chuck Pagano and Zac Taylor.
