Vic Fangio signs contract extension through 2015, per Matt Barrows

Matt Barrows is reporting the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms on a 1-year contract extension with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. According to Barrows, Fangio had been signed through 2014, and will now stick around through 2015. Additionally, the deal reportedly makes him one of the highest paid coordinators in the NFL. It does not clarify if his 2014 salary was boosted with the deal.

With the extension, Fangio joins secondary coach Ed Donatell in signing through 2015, which also happens to be when Jim Harbaugh's contract expires. I do not now how long Greg Roman is signed with the team, although I'd imagine it's through 2014 or 2015. For now, the 49ers continue to have what is being reported as one of the highest paid coaching staffs in the league. Jim Harbaugh stumped for his coaches in the SI interview earlier this month, but it's still worth noting that the staff was already making strong money to date.

The 49ers will eventually need to figure out Jim Harbaugh's situation, but at this point I suspect both sides ride it out in 2014, and see where the team lands next January/February. We all want a Super Bowl win for obvious reasons, but a Super Bowl victory potentially removes a significant barrier in contract negotiations. Even if Coach Harbaugh has not pushed for top of the line money, with a Lombardi Trophy in tow, it's easier for Jed York to sign him to a sizable extension. There has been some talk that the 49ers are looking more at well paid extension that has incentives for winning the Super Bowl. Whether that's true or not, it is just logical that if Harbaugh wins the Super Bowl, both sides can justify more money.

But for now, the coaching staff remains intact for yet another season. Vic Fangio and his staff have done a spectacular job with the 49ers defense over the last three seasons. They head into the 2014 season with a few questions, but the personnel too potentially answer them. NaVorro Bowman is out indefinitely, and the secondary continues to be made over. Fangio and company can make things work, but it will still be a bit of a stiffer test than in recent seasons. I look forward to it, but the development of the defense in August and into the season will be fascinating to watch.