In sports as in life, sometimes you have to wait. There is a reason the phrase credited to medieval English writer William Langland in his circa 1370s poem “Piers Plowman” is still said all these centuries later: Patience is a virtue.

That it might be rewarded is its value. Especially when the reward is great enough.

So the Miami Dolphins waited for Vic Fangio. And waited. And then won.

A franchise with a big need for one just landed the best defensive coordinator available in the NFL.

On Sunday the two sides had agreed to terms. Then there seemed to be doubts, and rumors Fangio might go to San Francisco instead, or Denver. Atlanta wanted him too. And Philadelphia didn’t want to lose him.

Four days later, on Thursday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported: “After speaking with multiple teams about their defensive coordinator position, Vic Fangio has decided to join the Dolphins and officially will accept the position on the Miami staff after the Super Bowl.”

The wait is because Fangio spent this past season as a Philadelphia Eagles defensive consultant. The consultations must have gone pretty well. Philly’s defense is why the Birds are playing Kansas City for the championship — just the latest nod to Fangio’s acumen at defensive football.

I’m not one for hyperbole, but this is big.

Based on Miami’s need dovetailing with Fangio’s track record, this is very big.

It might not be trading-for-Tyreek Hill-huge in the fireworks category, but it’s as big any coaching staff hire below the head coach level can get.

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