Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

A mastermind | Sports Daily Newsletter

Vic Fangio could check the final box on a four-decade coaching career.

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night at the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 3.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night at the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 3.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer

Vic Fangio hasn’t changed. From his durable scheme to his steely demeanor, the Eagles defensive coordinator has stayed true to himself through a four-decade coaching career.

Fangio, 66, has remained steadfast in his core beliefs, and that’s why in one season, he turned the Eagles defense from bottom dweller to one of the best. It’s also why the Birds are back in the Super Bowl.

Sunday’s rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs gives Fangio the opportunity to change one thing about his 38-year NFL career: a missing championship.

A win in New Orleans would be a full-circle moment for Fangio, who started his NFL coaching career under former Saints coach Jim Mora and had his first professional coaching job in Philadelphia with the Stars of the USFL.

But there is more behind what’s on screen, writes Jeff McLane: his binding loyalty, the peculiar sense of humor, and, of course, what goes on inside his beautiful mind. Only Fangio knows.

“It never shuts down,” he said, “until you’re asleep.”

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓ How do you project the Eagles defense against Patrick Mahomes and Co.? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Quinyon Mitchell’s rookie season has surpassed even the loftiest of expectations the Eagles had when they drafted him with the No. 22 pick last April.

But hearing he was heading to Philly wasn’t Mitchell’s first connection to the city. In fact, Mitchell grew up inspired by a former Phillies prospect, Jiwan James. Matt Breen has the story of how a Phillies prospect forgotten by time left a lasting mark with a young Mitchell growing up in Florida.

The Super Bowl marks a homecoming of sorts for Zack Baun, who played the last four seasons for the New Orleans Saints. Baun, who went from obscurity to All-Pro this season, talked Tuesday about his love for the city and what it’s like being back in his former home with a chance to win a Super Bowl.

Sticking with the defensive theme, Sunday’s game is a big one for free-agent-to-be Josh Sweat. Sweat, who changed agents this week, called Sunday the biggest moment of his life.

After beating the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster started a war with the Eagles, taking to social media to do a little trolling. How does he feel about that now?

And as usual, there were plenty of wacky questions during Monday’s Super Bowl Opening Night. Here’s a rundown of the goofiest questions asked.

A few days ago, the Phillies loaded up an equipment truck with 2,400 baseballs and 1,200 bats for the 1,060-mile drive to Clearwater, Fla. Expectations are as high as ever for Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, and the rest of Rob Thomson’s team. Here’s everything you need to know about key dates and storylines to follow during spring training.

On Tuesday, the Caleb Martin era came to a close. The Sixers traded the forward to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick. The move came seven months after Martin signed a four-year, $35 million contract with the Sixers.

It was a no-brainer trade, writes columnist David Murphy, who says the Sixers would be foolish not to compile an exhaustive list of options for the future.

Joel Embiid played in his first game since Jan. 4 and recorded his ninth-career triple-double in the Sixers’ 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Jacob Gaucher made his NHL debut on Sunday against Colorado, but playing even one NHL game was something that once would have seemed impossible for the 23-year-old.

Undrafted in 2019, and playing in the third-tier ECHL even last season, Gaucher has taken the long road to reach the NHL. How long will it last? Gaucher is just focused on soaking in the opportunity and making the most of his chance.

Also, Flyers fans might have to wait a while to see Matvei Michkov and Russia in another international tournament. The International Ice Hockey Federation ruled Tuesday that Russia and Belarus will remain ineligible for tournaments for the 2025-26 season as it “believes it is not yet safe to reintegrate” the two countries into tournaments.

Neil Pierre, who turned pro with the Union’s reserve team as a 15-year-old, could be the best centerback prospect in Union history. The 17-year-old isn’t ready to be a starter for the Union’s first team right now. But the time will come, whether by the end of this year or next. That’s why, on Tuesday, he signed a first-team contract through 2028 with a team option for 2029.

Worth a look

  1. Time to shine: Temple freshman Aiden Tobiason realized that he has what it takes to be a force at the Division I level.

  2. Passion project: Jeannine Kayembe Oro launched a Black Women’s Basketball Museum through her vast collection spotlighting Black women’s basketball history.

  3. ‘Winning it all’: Philly’s Jim Knowles, who won a national title as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, is bringing his defensive success to Penn State.

  4. Now or never: Villanova needs a major late-season push over its final nine games to get back into the NCAA conversation.

🧠 Trivia time answer

Which Eagles quarterback passed for the most yards in the Super Bowl?

C. Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII with 373 yards, Bart S. was first with the correct answer.

The schedule

  1. The Sixers host the Miami Heat tonight (7:30, NBCSP)

  2. The Flyers host the Washington Capitals Thursday at 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

  3. The Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. (Fox29).

What you’re saying about Super Bowl MVP

We asked: Who will be the MVP of Super Bowl LIX and why? Among your responses:

Who and why. Statistically it will be either Hurts or Mahomes. The QB’s have been MVP 33 times out of 58, and Mahomes has been the MVP 3 times already. Wide receivers have won it 9 times, Linebackers 4, Defensive backs 3, Defensive Linemen 3, and surprisingly running backs only 6 times. If the Eagles win statistically it will be Hurts. Personally I would like the MVP to be the Eagles Jalen Carter who will get it because he sacked Mahones 3 times, and completely destroyed Andy’s offensive game plan. Last time they beat us it was 38-35, but this is a new Eagle’s defense. Final score Eagles 34 Chiefs 24. — Everett S.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff McLane, David Murphy, Alex Coffey, Gabriela Carroll, Jonathan Tannenwald, Jackie Spiegel, Gustav Elvin, Keith Pompey, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Johnny Zawislak, Aaron Carter, Devin Jackson, and Brooke Ackerman.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading! Kerith will be on the controls tomorrow. — Bella