Redskins News: Defensive Coordinator Candidate Vic Fangio Released By 49ers

The Washington Redskins have been linked with 49ers DC Vic Fangio for some time, but their odds of landing him just went up significantly.

Fangio was passed over for the 49ers head coaching job yesterday, and the team announced the hiring of defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.

Tomsula and Fangio both wanted the position badly, and the 49ers knew that they wouldn't be able to pick one without losing the other. It came as no surprise, then, when the 49ers announced Thursday morning that Fangio - and two other position coaches he was close with - had been released from their contracts.

There's no questioning Fangio's ability - he turned a below-average defense into one of the NFL's best units in just one year after taking the job in 2011, and while the 49ers struggled this season, the defensive coaching was never the real culprit.

Fangio could bring one of his 49ers colleagues with him if he comes to Washington - secondary coach Ed Donatell was also linked to the Redskins earlier in the month, but it's unclear if he'd rather come along with Fangio in the same position or pursue higher-level opportunities elsewhere.

Jay Gruden's 2015 staff is nearing completion, with former Cowboys OC Bill Callahan hired as an offensive line coach earlier Thursday. Adding Fangio (and possibly Donatell) would be a solid move for a franchise that still has some big decisions to make this offseason.

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