The Rams excitedly hired New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Saturday after an intense search for their next head coach.
Spagnuolo is the 23rd head coach in franchise history after signing a four-year deal with the team on Saturday night. He will be formally introduced at an 11 a.m. news conference Monday at the Russell Training Center.
About Steve Spagnuolo:
- Born Dec. 21, 1959 in Whitinsville, Mass.
- Attended Grafton (Mass.) High School, where he was an A-student and played football, baseball and hockey.
- Played wide receiver at Springfield College, where he earned a degree in physical education.
- Was a graduate assistant at the University of Massachusetts for two seasons, getting his Masters degree in sports management.
- Coached in various collegiate capacities at Lafayette, Connecticut, Maine, Rutgers and Bowling Green.
- Coached the defensive line and special teams of the Barcelona Dragons of the defunct NFL World League in 1992. Spent 1998 as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy.
- First NFL job came as an intern in the Washington Redskins personnel department in 1983. Also where he first met Rams general manager Billy Devaney.
- Devaney later hired Spagnuolo as a scout in San Diego a decade later.
- Got first NFL coaching job as a defensive assistant in Philadelphia in 1999.
- Cut his teeth under legendary defensive coordinator Jim Johnson for eight seasons as a defensive assistant, defensive backs and linebackers coach. -- Became New York Giants defensive coordinator before the 2007 season.
- In his two seasons in New York, Spagnuolo’s defenses have earned a reputation for a fierce pass rush combined with exotic and creative blitz schemes.
- Employs a base 4-3 defense predicated on creating ways to get pressure on the quarterback. - Best known for coming up with the game plan and harassing New England quarterback Tom Brady to the point where the Patriots’ record setting offense was held to 14 points in a stunning Super Bowl victory.
- Giants defense finished this season ranked fifth in defense, allowing 292 yards per contest.
- Became a hot coaching commodity after last season, interviewing twice with the Redskins before removing himself from consideration and taking a pay raise to remain in New York.
- After this season, interviewed with Denver, Detroit, Cleveland and the New York Jets in addition to the Rams.
- Married to wife Maria, a native of Philadelphia and a hairstylist by trade. The couple met on a blind date and was married at the Vatican in Italy.
- One of five children to mother Carol Spagnuolo. Sisters Donna and Debra with twin brothers Kevin and Kurt.
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