Broncos down to Vic Fangio, Mike Munchak for Head-coaching job

The Denver Broncos have completed five head coach interviews and the team does not plan to interview any more candidates, according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.

The two finalists for the job are Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak, according to Jhabvala and KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

In addition to Fangio and Munchak, Denver also interviewed former Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano, Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor and New England Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Because the Bears have been eliminated from the playoffs and the Steelers did not qualify for the playoffs, Fangio and Munchak are both available to be hired right away. It’s unclear when the Broncos will make a hire. Fangio, 60, interviewed for the Bears’ head-coaching job last offseason before agreeing to return as Chicago’s defensive coordinator on a new three-year deal to work alongside first-year head coach Matt Nagy. He has coached a total of 32 years in the NFL, with additional stops in Baltimore, Houston, Indianapolis, Carolina and New Orleans.

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Klis considers Fangio the “slight favorite” over Munchak and — interesting since he’s considered an extension of the brain trust — penned his article in such a way that would suggest the former will win out.

“Either way, the Broncos are about to have one of the oldest GM-head coach pairings in the NFL,” he wrote, referencing 58-year-old Elway, 58-year-old Munchak and 60-year-old Fangio.

An excellent teacher and architect of the fearsome Bears defense — which finished the regular season tops in scoring and rushing, third in total yards, and seventh against the pass — Fangio is a football lifer who’s been coaching in the NFL for 33 years. And he’s absolutely beloved by his players. “I love playing for that guy,” Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks said on Jan. 3. “I got a lot of respect for him, and so does the entire defense. I don’t even want to think about the possibility of him ever leaving, so I’m going to pretend nothing is going on.”

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