Vic Fangio, who directed the 49ers’ defense under Jim Harbaugh, has accepted the defensive coordinator position with the Chicago Bears, a source confirmed to CSNBayArea.com on Tuesday.
Fangio, 56, who was the first candidate to interview for the 49ers’ head-coaching opening, was fired last week after the team chose defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to replace Harbaugh as the 49ers coach.
New Bears coach John Fox added Fangio to his staff, as CBS Sports first reported. The 49ers play at the Chicago Bears during the 2015 regular season.
In four seasons with Fangio as defensive coordinator, the 49ers' defense annually ranked in the Top 5 in the NFL. This season might have been his best job, as the 49ers still managed to rank fifth in the NFL despite a depleted depth chart.
All-Pro inside linebacker NaVorro sat out the entire season as he rehabilitated a severe knee injury he sustained in the NFC Championship game.
Outside linebacker Aldon Smith missed the first nine games of the season due to an NFL suspension.
And seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis played in just 5 ½ games before opting for season-ending toe surgery.
In addition, Tramaine Brock, expected to be the team’s top cornerback, sustained a toe injury early in the season opener and appeared in just three games.
The Bears ranked 30th in total yards allowed in the NFL last season, but spoiled the 49ers' opener at Levi's Stadium with a 28-20 victory in Week 2. The Bears finished 5-11, prompting the firing of head coach Marc Trestman and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.
Ed Donatell, the 49ers’ defensive backs coach, appears to be a candidate to end up on Fangio’s staff. Donatell was also fired as part of the coaching staff overhaul executed by Tomsula and general manager Trent Baalke.
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