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Spagnuolo agrees to deal to coach Rams

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Jay Glazer

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Updated Jan 19, 2009 2:49 PM ET
     
 
The Rams have found their next head coach.
Former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has agreed to a deal to coach St. Louis. Spagnuolo has been traveling all day and has not yet signed the deal. "There's just a toughness about him," Rams general manager Bill Devaney said. "Having a guy who's got swagger makes a difference," Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon added. "A guy who can really get guys motivated is going to be a big key." Spagnuolo emerged as one of the hottest head coaching candidates this year after leading the Giants' defensive unit to a Super Bowl win a season ago and another strong effort this season. The 49-year-old Spagnuolo took over as defensive coordinator in New York in 2007. A year before, New York ranked 25th in total defense. Under Spagnuolo in 2007, the Giants ranked seventh, led the league with 53 sacks and made the playoffs. Last season, they upset favored Dallas and Green Bay to reach the Super Bowl against New England with the Patriots seeking to become the first 19-0 team. But Spagnuolo's defense harassed Tom Brady all day, sacking him a season-high five times and holding down New England's potent offense in a 17-14 upset win. Despite New York's loss to Philadelphia in the NFC divisional round this season, many considered this an even greater coaching job by Spagnuolo after seven-time Pro Bowler Michael Strahan retired last summer and fellow Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora was lost in the preseason with a major knee injury. New York ranked fifth in the league in total defense, giving up 294 yards per game. That's a far cry better than the Rams, who ranked 28th, giving up 465 yards per game. Spagnuolo interviewed for several other head coaching vacancies each of the past two seasons. He was a strong contender last season for the top job in Washington before deciding to stay with the Giants. St. Louis is 5-27 over the past two seasons, hasn't had a winning season since 2003 and hasn't made the playoffs since the 2004 season. The offense was even worse than the defense last season, tying for 30th in scoring offense, averaging just 14.5 points per game. On the plus side, St. Louis will have the second pick in the April draft for the second straight season. The Rams have a top-tier running back in Steven Jackson and some promising young players, including defensive end Chris Long, the No. 2 overall pick in 2008, and second-round draft pick Donnie Avery, a speedy receiver. Spagnuolo, a Massachusetts native, was a wide receiver at Springfield (Mass.) College. He got his first taste of the NFL as a player personnel intern with Washington in 1983. After several other stops at the college and pro levels, Spagnuolo was hired as the Frankfurt Galaxy's defensive coordinator in 1998. He was hired the following year by Philadelphia and worked his way up from defensive assistant to coordinator. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tagged: Giants, Rams

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