His contract expired following the 2017 season and he interviewed for the Bears ' head coaching position on January 3 , 2018 . The head coaching position ultimately went to the Matt Nagy . Nine days later , he signed a three-year extension with the Bears to continue as their defensive coordinator , making him the first Bears defensive coordinator to stay under a new head coach since Buddy Ryan with newly-arriving head Mike Ditka in 1982 . Fangio was also granted complete control of the defense . Under Fangio , the 2018 Bears defense excelled as it led the NFL in turnovers forced ( 36 ) and interceptions ( 27 ) . Chicago was also ranked third in total defense , second in yards per play allowed , and first in scoring defense . On January 17 , 2019 , Fangio was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association . A month later , he received the same honor from the Associated Press at the 8th Annual NFL Honors
8th Annual NFL Honors
8th Annual NFL Honors
Vic Fangio