A closer look at the Steve Spagnuolo intrigue
Steve Spagnuolo is now available, sending a portion of Eagles fans into debate about the prospect of hiring the former Eagles linebackers coach/Giants defensive coordinator/Rams head coach/Saints defensive coordinator.
A closer look at the Steve Spagnuolo intrigue
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Steve Spagnuolo is now available, sending a portion of Eagles fans into debate about the prospect of hiring the former Eagles linebackers coach/Giants defensive coordinator/Rams head coach/Saints defensive coordinator.
Of course, the Eagles defensive coordinator job might not be as available as it appears, if the job is simply waiting on ice for 49ers defensive backs coach Ed Donatell after the Super Bowl.
But any potential marriage between Spagnuolo and the Eagles might also be complicated by the Eagles' potential scheme. There have been hints that the Eagles will switch ot a 3-4 under coach Chip Kelly. (Donatell ran a 4-3 in his stops as a defensive coordinator, but coaches in San Francisco, where they run a 3-4.) Spagnuolo's career has been marked by an attacking 4-3 defense similar to the one Jim Johnson used with the Eagles. In fact, one of the reasons the Saints made the change was because they want to run a 3-4. (It also didn't help that the Saints gave up more yards than any team in history under Spagnuolo last season.)
But for argument's sake, let's examine Spagnuolo. There is a faction of fans who see what happened in New Orleans last season and don't want anything to do with Spagnuolo. Of course, he also won a Super Bowl in his first season as defensive coordinator with the Giants. He's well thought of around the NFL, and especially in the NFC East. The Eagles know him, he knows Philadelphia. He also has head-coaching experience, which could be a benefit on the staff.
Spagnuolo has a connection to Kelly. They both have New England roots (as do many members of Kelly's prospective staff), and coached in the same conference in the early 1990s. Because Spagnuolo just became available on Thursday, his candidacy is a recent development. Perhaps there's a different spot on the staff for him -- an assistant head coach role, or something of that nature -- or maybe Spagnuolo can find a coordinator job elsewhere.
But if the Eagles go to a 3-4, don't expect Spagnuolo to be the coordinator.
- Good post. I agree. Well respected coach and man. And the Jim Johnson heritage and a Super Bowl under his belt is a pretty good resume.
- Spagnuolo is also a former Ram; a former Giant; a former Saint as well. Big deal. He has no special allegiance or emotional attachment to the Eagles. He's just looking for a paycheck and going through the motions at this point in time. His record with the Saints doesn't exactly scream, "Hire Me".
— essell - Are you confusing him with former Eagle's player John Spagnola? I'd hardly call bringing back a former position coach as bringing back tradition. — samtheman
- whatever happened to spellcheck?— Keith S.
- No, Spag is a retread from the Eagles' past, regardless of his recent successes. Let's start new!!! Next thing you know, Vermeil will be hired as offensive cordinator. Let Kelly hire his own people, and stop dragging the Eagles supposedly glorious past into the mix as if to check on Kelly like some wise big brother. Kelly does not need any ghosts from the past to haunt the locker room— krellmachine
- Lorie needs to sell this team. He is a penny pincher in all the wrong ways. The Rooney's know how to run a team. Get the sons to buy the Eagles and then PA will have two excellent NFL teams.— TR3
- Krellmachine go ahead and support 4th and 26. You deserve each other. Retread? Are you kiddinig me? I sat in on a breakfast with Jeremiah Trotter this week and he sais he is embarassed by the way this team played this year. Reading your post I know what he means.— rockinrob
- Get Spags— VegasEagleFan
- We don't need the coach of the worst defense in NFL history.— ej610
- No he is not a good fit. Having Philly ties is not a good reason to hire a coach. He was fired for a reason. This is an Andy Reid guy. We've had 14 years of this, time for a change.— dfc1234567
- Posters talking about not getting a retread. Practically every cooardinator is a retread. Just look at the candidates, they go from team to team.— watsonmr
- bring williams in he has been allowed to return, rather have him— wildgreenman
- Well, we already blew our chance with Juan Castillo. So what's the point?— ricciaje
- Juan Castillo? There were 8 new head coach hires, all who had to fill their staffs. Not one choose Juan for DC or for offensive line coach for that matter. His coaching ability appears to be a myth.— watsonmr
- Spags is known to be a great guy. And had nice success with the Giants. Question is, has he made his NFL mistakes now? Will his next coaching job be the one where he succeeds wildly? Or, is he just a good guy who'll for whatever reason never lead a ferocious defense.— armchairGM
