Steve Spagnuolo
{{Short description|American football coach (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Steve Spagnuolo
| image = NY Football Giants Training Camp (28194413913) (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Spagnuolo with the New York Giants in 2017
| current_team = Kansas City Chiefs
| position = Defensive coordinator
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|12|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Whitinsville, Massachusetts, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| high_school = Grafton (MA)
| college = Springfield (1978–1980)
| pastcoaching =
- Massachusetts (1981–1982)
Graduate assistant - Washington Redskins ({{nfly|1983}})
Player personnel intern - Lafayette (1984–1986)
Defensive line coach & special teams coach - Connecticut (1987–1991)
Defensive backs coach - Connecticut (1989–1991)
Defensive coordinator - Barcelona Dragons (1992)
Defensive line coach & special teams coach - Maine (1993)
Defensive backs coach - Maine (1994)
Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach - Rutgers (1994–1995)
Defensive backs coach - Bowling Green (1996–1997)
Defensive backs coach - Frankfurt Galaxy (1998)
Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach - Philadelphia Eagles ({{nfly|1999}}–{{nfly|2000}})
Defensive assistant - Philadelphia Eagles ({{nfly|2001}}–{{nfly|2003}})
Defensive backs coach - Philadelphia Eagles ({{nfly|2004}}–{{nfly|2006}})
Linebackers coach - New York Giants ({{nfly|2007}}–{{nfly|2008}})
Defensive coordinator - St. Louis Rams ({{nfly|2009}}–{{nfly|2011}})
Head coach - New Orleans Saints ({{nfly|2012}})
Defensive coordinator - Baltimore Ravens ({{nfly|2013}})
Senior defensive assistant - Baltimore Ravens ({{nfly|2014}})
Secondary coach - New York Giants ({{nfly|2015}}–{{nfly|2017}})
Defensive coordinator - New York Giants ({{nfly|2017}})
Interim head coach - Kansas City Chiefs ({{nfly|2019}}–present)
Defensive coordinator
| highlights =
- 4× Super Bowl champion (XLII, LIV, LVII, LVIII)
| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|11|41|record=y}}
| playoff_record =
| overall_record =
| pfrcoach = SpagSt0
}}
Stephen Christopher Spagnuolo ({{IPAc-en|s|p|æ|ɡ|ˈ|n|oʊ|l|oʊ}} {{Respell|spag|NOH|loh}};{{Cite web |title=Steve Spagnuolo Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SpagSt0.htm |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} born December 21, 1959) is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed "Spags", Spagnuolo started his NFL coaching career with Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999 to 2006, and as a defensive coordinator he has coached four top-10 defenses in terms of yardage. He has participated in seven Super Bowls, six as a defense coordinator, winning one with the New York Giants and three with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the only coordinator (offense or defense) in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises and the only one to win four Super Bowls in that role.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Paul |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Steve Spagnuolo has chance to be historic Tom Brady killer |url=https://nypost.com/2021/01/31/steve-spagnuolo-chasing-third-super-bowl-ring-as-coordinator/ |access-date=November 30, 2021 |website=New York Post}} Some historic defenses that Spagnuolo has coached throughout his career include the 2007 New York Giants defense that defeated the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII and the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Following two seasons in New York, he became the head coach of the St. Louis Rams for three seasons, was an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, had a one-season stint with the New Orleans Saints, and then returned to the Giants as defensive coordinator in 2015. He was named interim head coach after the firing of former head coach Ben McAdoo on December 4, 2017, before rejoining Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.
Spagnuolo has also worked as a college football assistant coach for the University of Connecticut, the University of Maine, Lafayette College, Rutgers University, Bowling Green University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also spent time in the original World League of American Football and its successor, NFL Europe.
Early life
Born in the Whitinsville section of Northbridge, Massachusetts, Spagnuolo moved to Grafton as a youth. After graduating from Grafton (MA) High School, Spagnuolo played wide receiver at Springfield College. He assisted the University of Massachusetts football team while pursuing his graduate degree.{{cite news |first=John |last=Powers |title=Assist goes to Spagnuolo |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/02/03/assist_goes_to_spagnuolo/ |work=Boston Globe |date=February 3, 2008 }}
Coaching career
=Philadelphia Eagles=
Spagnuolo began his NFL coaching career in the Philadelphia Eagles organization in 1999, serving as linebackers and defensive backs coach under head coach Andy Reid.{{Cite web |last=Sapp |first=Jared |date=February 8, 2023 |title=During Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo’s career, defending quarterbacks has changed a lot |url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2023/2/8/23591081/chiefs-eagles-super-bowl-lvii-quarterbacks-changed-steve-spagnuolos-career |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Arrowhead Pride |language=en}} Spagnuolo remained there for eight years, appearing in Super Bowl XXXIX where they lost to the New England Patriots 24–21 who were led by quarterback Tom Brady.{{Cite web |last=Sapp |first=Jared |date=February 8, 2023 |title=During Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo’s career, defending quarterbacks has changed a lot |url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2023/2/8/23591081/chiefs-eagles-super-bowl-lvii-quarterbacks-changed-steve-spagnuolos-career |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Arrowhead Pride |language=en}}
=New York Giants=
In January 2007, he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants under head coach Tom Coughlin.{{Cite web |last=Salter |first=Jim |date=January 17, 2019 |title=Spagnuolo hired to right sinking ship in St. Louis |url=https://www.sj-r.com/story/sports/2009/01/18/spagnuolo-hired-to-right-sinking/43087494007/ |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=The State Journal-Register |language=en-US}}
He spent two years in New York, and was the architect of the aggressive defensive strategy against the New England Patriots (the highest scoring offensive team in NFL history at the time) in Super Bowl XLII, which was instrumental in the close victory by the Giants.{{Cite web |last=Battista |first=Judy |date=February 4, 2008 |title=Giants Stun Patriots in Super Bowl XLII |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/sports/football/04game.html |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}} Spagnuolo's defense sacked the Patriots' Tom Brady five times, which was the most he had been sacked in any game that season.{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2021 |title=Spagnuolo left Brady with a bad memory |url=https://richmond.com/sports/football/professional/spagnuolo-left-brady-with-a-bad-memory/article_7df4cd85-15c1-5c6e-a4db-9945b9c5eb8d.html |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Richmond Times-Dispatch|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} Following the Super Bowl win and a great deal of praise, Spagnuolo's name was widely circulated for open head coach positions around the NFL.
On February 7, 2008, he took his name out of consideration for the head coaching position of the Washington Redskins. The same day, the Giants made Spagnuolo one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the NFL with a new three-year contract, worth roughly $2 million a year.{{cite news |first=John |last=Branch |title=Spagnuolo's Decision to Stay With Giants Is Rewarded |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/sports/football/08giants.html |work=New York Times |date=February 8, 2008 }}
=St. Louis Rams=
Following another successful season in 2008 in which the Giants finished the season 12–4, but lost in the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, Spagnuolo's name came up as a replacement for numerous head-coaching vacancies.{{Cite web |title=2008 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/2008.htm |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} These vacancies included the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions,{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}, but Spagnuolo decided to join the St. Louis Rams, taking over their head-coaching vacancy with a 4-year, $11.5 million contract.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2009 |title=Rams go with Spagnuolo |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3840557 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite news | first = Jim | last = Thomas | title = Rams fire Spagnuolo, Devaney | date = January 2, 2012 | url = http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-report/rams-fire-spagnuolo-devaney/article_499566ba-355b-11e1-a5ac-001a4bcf6878.html | work = St. Louis Post-Dispatch | access-date = January 20, 2012}} Spagnuolo hired Pat Shurmur and Ken Flajole to be the Rams' offensive and defensive coordinators respectively. Spagnuolo then hired Josh McDaniels to be the team's offensive coordinator to replace Shurmur, who left for the Browns' head-coaching job.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Jim |date=January 19, 2011 |title=Rams hire McDaniels to direct offense |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-hire-mcdaniels-to-direct-offense/article_410e7f9f-ec36-53b4-bed0-9f9c9c2bac3e.html |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}
Spagnuolo's first season saw the Rams go 1–15, the worst record in the league and the worst season in franchise history.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/index.htm |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=ODonnell |first=Wes |date=January 2, 2012 |title=Steve Spagnuolo and St. Louis Rams Part Ways After Failed Season |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/981855-steve-spagnuolo-and-st-louis-rams-part-ways-after-failed-season |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} After rebounding to 7–9 in 2010, they regressed to 2–14 in 2011, tied with the Indianapolis Colts with the worst record in the league.{{Cite web |title=2010 St. Louis Rams Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2010.htm |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2011 St. Louis Rams Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2011.htm |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/index.htm |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Spagnuolo was fired on January 2, 2012, after compiling a 10–38 overall record in his three seasons in St. Louis, the second-lowest winning percentage for a non-interim coach in franchise history.{{cite news | title = Rams, Bucs ax coaches; Colts ax VP, GM | date = January 3, 2012 | url = http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Black-Monday-NFL-head-coach-firings-010212 | work = Fox Sports | access-date = January 20, 2012}}
=New Orleans Saints=
On January 19, 2012, Spagnuolo agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints to become the new defensive coordinator under head coach Sean Payton, choosing this position rather than an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2012 |title=New Orleans Saints reportedly will hire Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/new-orleans-saints-reportedly-will-hire-steve-spagnuolo-as-defensive-coordinator/article_bb47dc63-8c62-54f5-983d-ceda89bd9e88.html |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}} However, Payton was subsequently suspended for the season for his alleged role in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, leaving Spagnuolo to coach the defense without Payton's input.Peter King, [https://archive.today/20130215175320/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1205753/index.htm "Spotlight"], Sports Illustrated, September 3, 2012.{{cite news|last=Yasinskas|first=Pat|title=Sources: Steve Spagnuolo to join Saints|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7480923/sources-steve-spagnuolo-agrees-coach-new-orleans-saints-defense|access-date=January 19, 2012|newspaper=ESPN|date=January 19, 2012}} In 2012, the Saints allowed the most yards for a season of any defense in NFL history en route to finishing 7–9 and missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. Soon after Payton's suspension ended, Spagnuolo was fired on January 24, 2013.{{cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/steve-spagnuolo-fired-by-new-orleans-saints-0ap1000000130682|title=Steve Spagnuolo fired by New Orleans Saints|publisher=National Football League|date=January 24, 2013|access-date=January 24, 2013}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
Baltimore hired Spagnuolo as a senior defensive assistant before the 2013 season, then promoted him to assistant head coach/secondary coach in 2014.{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2013 |title=Ravens hire Spagnuolo as defensive assistant |url=https://apnews.com/ravens-hire-spagnuolo-as-defensive-assistant-04d70c32c50c46899ddbc9fbb1a8c014 |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Raanan |first=Jordan Raanan |date=January 16, 2015 |title=Steve Spagnuolo: 5 things to know about the Giants' new/old defensive coordinator |url=https://www.nj.com/giants/2015/01/steve_spagnuolo_5_things_to_know_about_the_giants.html |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=NJ.com |language=en}}
=Return to Giants=
On January 15, 2015, Spagnuolo rejoined the New York Giants as defensive coordinator, serving under head coach Tom Coughlin in 2015 and then under head coach Ben McAdoo in 2016.{{cite web | url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/15/giants-hire-steve-spagnuolo-as-defensive-coordinator/ | title=Giants hire Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator | date=January 15, 2015 | publisher=NBC Sports | access-date=January 15, 2015}} The Giants finished 32nd in the NFL in yards allowed his first year back. They also allowed the most passing yards in NFL history (4,783) and the 3rd most points in the NFL that season (442).{{Cite web |last=Pflum |first=Chris |date=January 4, 2016 |title=2015 New York Giants: Record-setting season, in good ways and bad |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/4/10705118/2015-ny-giants-stats-records-eli-manning-odell-beckham-rashad-jennings-shane-vereen |access-date=November 30, 2021 |website=Big Blue View}} But, the defense rebounded to have the league's 10th best defense in 2016, which fueled the team to an 11–5 record.{{Cite web |title=Steve Spagnuolo Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SpagSt0.htm |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Spagnuolo became interim head coach of the Giants after a house cleaning by the organization after the firings of McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese on December 4, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21665997/new-york-giants-fire-coach-ben-mcadoo-two-seasons|title=Giants fire coach Ben McAdoo, GM Jerry Reese in midst of lost season|website=ESPN|access-date=2024-07-07}} He led them to a last-game win against the Washington Redskins, but finished 1–3 as interim head coach. After the season, Spagnuolo was not retained by new head coach Pat Shurmur, as Shurmur elected to hire James Bettcher as his defensive coordinator.{{Cite web |last=Benton |first=Dan |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Report: Steve Spagnuolo will not return to Giants |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2018/01/22/steve-spagnuolo-will-not-return-new-york-giants/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Giants Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}
=Kansas City Chiefs=
On January 24, 2019, Spagnuolo was named defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, replacing Bob Sutton who had been dismissed after the defense performed poorly in the 2018–19 season which included the loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.{{Cite web |last=Middlehurst-Schwartz |first=Michael |date=January 24, 2019 |title=Chiefs hire Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chiefs/2019/01/24/kansas-city-chiefs-steve-spagnuolo-defensive-coordinator/2671709002/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} He was reunited with Andy Reid who had already been Chiefs head coach since 2013; Spagnuolo previously coached defensive backs and linebackers in Philadelphia from 1999 to 2006 during Reid's tenure there as head coach. In the 2019 season, Spagnuolo appeared in his third Super Bowl, and won his second title as the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 31–20 in Super Bowl LIV.{{cite web|last=Bergman|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-hire-steve-spagnuolo-as-defensive-coordinator-0ap3000001013167|title=Chiefs hire Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator|publisher=National Football League|date=January 24, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2019}}{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 2nd, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202002020kan.htm |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the 2020 season, Spagnuolo reached his fourth Super Bowl, losing 31–9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who were quarterbacked by Tom Brady. The Chiefs had committed a record eight penalties for 95 yards in the first half, most of which were called against the defense.{{Cite web |last=Fedotin |first=Jeff |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Chiefs lose Super Bowl LV along the line of scrimmage |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffedotin/2021/02/08/kansas-city-chiefs-lose-super-bowl-lv-along-the-line-of-scrimmage/amp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118191940/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffedotin/2021/02/08/kansas-city-chiefs-lose-super-bowl-lv-along-the-line-of-scrimmage/amp/ |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=January 18, 2022 |website=Forbes}}{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Jarrett |title=Opinion: Penalties, blunders, distractions doom Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2021/02/07/kansas-city-chiefs-penalties-blunders-sink-super-bowl-55-hopes/4427712001/ |website=USA Today |access-date=February 8, 2021 |date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208140637/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2021/02/07/kansas-city-chiefs-penalties-blunders-sink-super-bowl-55-hopes/4427712001/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Goldman |first1=Charles |title=Chiefs first half vs. Buccaneers marred by record-setting penalty numbers |url=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/07/kansas-city-chiefs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-super-bowl-first-half-penalties/ |website=USA Today |access-date=February 8, 2021 |date=February 7, 2021 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208014502/https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/07/kansas-city-chiefs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-super-bowl-first-half-penalties/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Selbe |first1=Nick |title=Chiefs Commit Super Bowl–Record Eight First-Half Penalties |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/02/08/kansas-city-chiefs-super-bowl-record-eight-penalties |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=February 8, 2021 |date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208080444/https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/02/08/kansas-city-chiefs-super-bowl-record-eight-penalties |url-status=live }}
In the 2022 season, Spagnuolo appeared in his fifth Super Bowl and won his third title as the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 12th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202302120phi.htm |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following year, he participated in his sixth Super Bowl and won his fourth championship when the Chiefs beat the 49ers 25–22. {{Cite web |last=Maaddi |first=Rob |date=February 12, 2024 |title=Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime |url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2024-score-chiefs-49ers-49b5dca51c05ab0f259cef0d7da76c2d |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}
Beginning with the 2024 season, Chiefs defensive players including Justin Reid popularized the expression "In Spags We Trust" to express their confidence in Spagnuolo's decisionmaking and leadership, and printed t-shirts featuring the phrase to wear ahead of that year's AFC championship game. Spagnuolo's defense was credited to the Chiefs finishing with a league-best 15–2 record, even as the offense quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes had regressed.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Malik |date=January 29, 2024 |title=Chiefs’ Justin Reid talks about how ‘In Spags We Trust’ shirts came about |url=https://fox4kc.com/sports/chiefs-justin-reid-talks-about-how-in-spags-we-trust-shirts-came-about/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Fox 4 Kansas City |language=en}} Spagnuolo reached his seventh Super Bowl, a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, where they fell to the Eagles 40–22. The Chiefs defense managed to stop star running back Saquon Barkley from scoring a touchdown but could not contain quarterback Jalen Hurts despite sacking him four times.{{cite web | last=Buday | first=Zoltán | title=Super Bowl 59: Jalen Hurts and the Eagles had all the right answers for Steve Spagnuolo’s pressure schemes | website=PFF | date=2025-02-10 | url=https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-super-bowl-59-jalen-hurts-and-the-eagles-had-all-the-right-answers-for-steve-spagnuolos-pressure-schemes | access-date=2025-03-02}}
=Coaching philosophy=
{{Multiple image
| total_width = 300
| image1 = Justin Tuck.jpg
| image2 = Big Red One Attends Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp (7983487) (cropped).jpg
| footer = Spagnuolo is credited for developing multiple All-Pro defensive players throughout his career as a defensive coordinator, including New York Giants pass rusher Justin Tuck and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie.
}}
Spagnuolo learned under Philadelphia defensive coach Jim Johnson, and shares the same aggressive, blitz-heavy approach as his mentor.{{Cite web |last=Garafolo |first=Mike |date=January 11, 2009 |title=New York Giants' Steve Spagnuolo was pupil of Philadelphia Eagles' Jim Johnson |url=https://www.nj.com/giants/2009/01/new_york_giants_steve_spagnuol.html |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=NJ.com |language=en}} (He did not incorporate this philosophy during his time in New Orleans however.) Spagnuolo uses a 4–3 base defense with a heavy emphasis on multiple blitz packages, including corner and safety blitzes.{{Cite web |last=Stout |first=Craig |date=January 24, 2019 |title=The 4–3 Under: How the Chiefs’ current personnel fits |url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2019/1/24/18196643/the-4-3-under-how-the-chiefs-current-personnel-fits |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Arrowhead Pride |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Matt |date=May 31, 2019 |title=Summer of Spags: the front seven in Steve Spagnuolo’s 4–3 scheme |url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2019/5/31/18642001/summer-of-spags-the-front-seven-in-steve-spagnuolos-4-3-scheme |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Arrowhead Pride |language=en}} While defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, he often used a smaller defensive line, with three or even four defensive ends to further pressure the quarterback.
This philosophy proved successful, with the Giants leading the NFL in sacks in 2007.{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/opp.htm |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Super Bowl XLII, Spagnuolo's defense sacked Tom Brady five times, which was the most he had been sacked in any game that season.{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2021 |title=Spagnuolo left Brady with a bad memory |url=https://richmond.com/sports/football/professional/spagnuolo-left-brady-with-a-bad-memory/article_7df4cd85-15c1-5c6e-a4db-9945b9c5eb8d.html |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Richmond Times-Dispatch|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Tom Brady 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00/gamelog/2007/ |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Head coaching record
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Team | rowspan="2"|Year | colspan="5"|Regular season | colspan="4"|Postseason | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result |
| STL || 2009
| 1|| 15 || 0 || {{winpct|1|15|0}} || 4th in NFC West || — || — || — || — | ||||||||
| STL || 2010
| 7 || 9 || 0 || {{winpct|7|9|0}} || 2nd in NFC West || — || — || — || — | ||||||||
| STL || 2011
| 2 || 14 || 0 || {{winpct|2|14|0}} || 4th in NFC West || — || — || — || — | ||||||||
| colspan="2"|STL total|| 10 || 38 || 0 || {{winpct|10|38|0}} || || — || — || — || — | ||||||||
| NYG || 2017*
| 1 || 3 || 0 || {{winpct|1|3|0}} || 4th in NFC East || — || — || — || — | ||||||||
| colspan="2"|Total{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SpagSt0.htm|title=Steve Spagnuolo|year=2009|publisher=Pro Football Reference.com|access-date=October 19, 2010}} || 11 || 41 || 0 || {{winpct|11|41|0}} || || — || — || — || — |
*Interim head coach
Personal life
Spagnuolo is a Catholic.{{cite web |last1=Ackerman |first1=Jon |title=Chiefs D-coordinator Steve Spagnuolo grateful to 'always have Jesus to fall back on' |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2023/02/10/chiefs-defensive-coordinator-steve-spagnuolo-grateful-jesus/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=February 10, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2023}} He is married to Maria Spagnuolo.{{cite web |title=Steve Spagnuolo |url=https://www.chiefs.com/team/coaches-roster/steve-spagnuolo |access-date=February 13, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite news |last=Pompei |first=Dan |date=2024-11-13 |title=Why the Chiefs love Steve Spagnuolo: Exotic blitzes, tough love and home cooking |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5892755/2024/11/13/kansas-city-chiefs-defensive-coordinator-steve-spagnuolo/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |work=The Athletic}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
- [https://www.chiefs.com/team/coaches-roster/steve-spagnuolo Kansas City Chiefs profile]
{{NFL defensive coordinators}}
{{Navboxes|list =
{{Super Bowl XLII}}
{{Super Bowl LIV}}
{{Super Bowl LVII}}
{{Super Bowl LVIII}}
{{Los Angeles Rams coach navbox}}
{{New York Giants coach navbox}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spagnuolo, Steve}}
Category:American people of Italian descent
Category:Baltimore Ravens coaches
Category:Barcelona Dragons (NFL Europe) coaches
Category:Bowling Green Falcons football coaches
Category:Coaches of American football from Massachusetts
Category:Frankfurt Galaxy coaches
Category:Kansas City Chiefs coaches
Category:Lafayette Leopards football coaches
Category:Maine Black Bears football coaches
Category:NFL defensive coordinators
Category:New Orleans Saints coaches
Category:New York Giants coaches
Category:New York Giants head coaches
Category:People from Grafton, Massachusetts
Category:People from Northbridge, Massachusetts
Category:Philadelphia Eagles coaches
Category:Players of American football from Worcester County, Massachusetts
Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights football coaches
Category:St. Louis Rams head coaches
Category:Springfield Pride football players