Big Duke 6 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Steve SpagnuoloSteve Spagnuolo was hired as the Giants new defensive coordinator on Jan. 22, 2007. He replaced Tim Lewis, who held the position the previous three seasons.Spagnuolo comes to the Giants after eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the last three as the club's linebackers coach. While he was in that role, middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was selected to two Pro Bowl berths. In 2005, Trotter was voted to the game after leading the Eagles with 169 tackles, including 13 for a loss. That season, Philadelphia led the NFL with 60 tackles for a loss, including 25 by the linebackers.Spagnuolo was the only coach to work under highly-respected defensive coordinator Jim Johnson during his entire tenure in Philadelphia. During six of his eight seasons with the Eagles, Spagnuolo coached a player who earned Pro Bowl honors.In his eight-year tenure in Philadelphia, Spagnuolo (pronounced SPAG-no-low) helped coach an Eagles defense that is traditionally one of the NFL s best. In a six-year period from 1999-2005, Philadelphia s defense ranked first in the NFL in opposing third down percentage (33 percent), second in points allowed (17.0 per game), second in sacks (265) and third in red zone defense (43.3 percent). During this period, the Eagles played in four consecutive NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl. In 2001, the Eagles defense allowed fewer than 21 points in each of their 16 games, just the fourth time in league history that was accomplished. Spagnuolo originally joined the Eagles coaching staff in 1999 as a defensive assistant/quality control coach working specifically with the team's safeties. Two years later, he was promoted to defensive backs coach, where he spent three seasons tutoring Pro Bowlers Brian Dawkins, Bobby Taylor, Troy Vincent, Lito Sheppard and Michael Lewis. In those three seasons, the Eagles pass defense ranked in the NFL's top 10 in three key statistical categories: third-down defense, touchdown passes allowed and net yards per pass attempt. Prior to joining the Eagles, Spagnuolo coached 15 seasons in college football and two years in NFL Europe. He spent the 1998 season as the defensive coordinator of NFL Europe's Frankfurt Galaxy, who finished second in the league in total defense en route to a World Bowl appearance. Four of the six linebackers and nine of the 11 defensive starters he tutored went on to play in the NFL. Spagnuolo also served as the defensive line and special teams coach of the Barcelona Dragons in 1992. A native of Grafton, Mass. Spagnuolo has served as a defensive coordinator on the college level with Connecticut and Maine. In addition, he served as assistant coach at Massachusetts, Lafayette, Rutgers and Bowling Green. Prior to his stint at Maine, Spagnuolo spent four months as a scout for the San Diego Chargers under then-general manager Bobby Beathard. His first NFL experience came in 1983 as an intern with the Washington Redskins under then-assistant general manager Charlie Casserly.Spagnuolo played football at Springfield (Mass.) College for head coach Howard Vandersea. He was a two-year starter at wide receiver and received the school s AAUP Male Scholar Athlete award in 1982.Spagnuolo was born in Whitinsville, Mass. He attended Grafton High School, where he is a member of the school s athletic Hall of Fame. Spagnuolo earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Springfield College and a master's degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts. He is married (Maria). SPAGNUOLO AT A GLANCE1982-83& & & & & Massachusetts& & & & & graduate Assistant1983& & & & & & .Washington Redskins& & player personnel intern1984-86& & & & & Lafayette& & & & & & & defensive line/special teams1987-91& & & & & Connecticut& & & & & ..defensive coordinator/defensive backs1992& & & & & & .Barcelona Dragons& & & defensive line/special teams1993& & & & & & .San Diego Chargers& & ..scout1993-94& & & & & Maine& & & & & & & defensive coordinator/def. backs/linebackers1994-95& & & & & Rutgers& & & & & & & .defensive backs1996-97& & & & & Bowling Green& & & & .defensive backs1998& & & & & & .Frankfurt Galaxy& & & ..defensive coordinator/linebackers1999-00& & & & & Philadelphia Eagles& & ..defensive assistant2001-03& & & & & Philadelphia Eagles& & ..defensive backs2004-06& & & & & Philadelphia Eagles& & ..linebackers2007& & & & & & .New York Giants& & & .defensive coordinator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 So are you joining his Bandwagon?: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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