NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo has reported that the New York Jets have requested permission to interview Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for their head coaching vacancy.
In addition to that, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Las Vegas Raiders have also requested to interview Spagnuolo.
The Chiefs cannot deny the requests, but Spagnuolo can if he wants to. Spagnuolo has admitted to be interested in being a head coach again, but noted that it would have to be a situation that he felt very good about. Spagnuolo served as the Los Angeles (then St. Louis) Rams head coach from 2009-2011, compiling a 10-38 record.
While serving as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, Spagnuolo was named interim head coach for the final four games following the firing of Ben McAdoo, going 1-3 during that span. After taking the year off in 2018, Spagnuolo joined Andy Reid’s coaching staff in 2019 as Kansas City’s defensive coordinator.
Spagnuolo has won three Super Bowls during his time with the Chiefs. His four total (winning one with the Giants in 2007) is the most ever for a defensive coordinator. He is widely regarded as one of the best assistant coaches of all-time, not only because of his success, but his creative and aggressive nature for blitzing the quarterback.
Spagnuolo has done some of the best work of his career over the past two years in K.C. The Chiefs’ defense has been the strength of the team, featuring multiple Pro Bowl players. Most of his players have been drafted and developed by Spagnuolo and his assistants.
If Spagnuolo does decide to become a head coach again, one would think that the Jets have a tremendous advantage over the Raiders to land him. Spagnuolo is coached with the Giants for five seasons and is and has lived on the East Coast for most of his life. He could also be enticed by the Jets already having a pretty solid defense and multiple playmakers on offense. Spagnuolo has a good situation in K.C., so he’ll likely have to be wowed to be convinced to leave.
