EAST STROUDSBURG – Vic Fangio, a 1980 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, was announced Thursday as the new head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Fangio, who spent the past four seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, becomes the second ESU graduate to lead an NFL team. He joins Fred O'Connor '62, who served as interim head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.

Fangio was involved with ESU football throughout his time as an undergrad, taking several coaching classes taught by former head coach Denny Douds in the late 70's. He aided the program during a successful period which included four PSAC East championships in a span of six years. In the NFL, he previously held defensive coordinator positions with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14), Houston Texans (2002-05), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001) and Carolina Panthers (1995-98).

Other coaching stints for Fangio included roles with the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints and Stanford University. He began his coaching career as a linebackers coach at Dunmore High School in 1979.

Fangio's Bears finished the 2018 season ranked first in the NFL in scoring defense at 17.7 points per game. Chicago went 12-4 in the regular season before falling 16-15 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.

The Warriors were well-represented in the NFL coaching ranks during this year's postseason. Fangio and Harry Hiestand '83 (offensive line coach) served under head coach Matt Nagy in Chicago, while John Glenn '05 is the current linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

Glenn, a starter on ESU's 2004 and 2005 Division II Playoff teams, earned a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks following the 2013 season. Another former Warrior, Pat Flaherty '78, won championships as offensive line coach for the New York Giants in 2007 and 2011.