Steve Spagnuolo, the mastermind behind some of the NFL‘s most formidable defenses, is the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator in 2024. Spagnuolo has coached four top-10 defenses and claimed four Super Bowl victories, one with the New York Giants and three with the Chiefs.
A disciple of Philadelphia’s legendary defensive coach, Jim Johnson, Spagnuolo brings a relentless approach that has consistently troubled opponents and their offensive schemes. His strategy with the 2023 Chiefs defense was a hit, and he’s already gotten the unit off to a strong start in 2024.
Everything You Need To Know About Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo
Spagnuolo is a seasoned NFL coach with a long career in the league spanning over two decades. Born in Massachusetts in 1959, Spagnuolo’s football journey began at Grafton High School before playing wide receiver at Springfield College.
After earning his stripes as a graduate assistant at the University of Massachusetts, he found his calling in the nuances of coaching, which eventually led him to the NFL. Spagnuolo’s big break came in 1999 when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive assistant under the tutelage of defensive mastermind Jim Johnson.
Here, Spagnuolo honed his blitz-heavy defensive tactics, which would become his trademark. After eight successful years in Philadelphia, his expertise led him to the New York Giants, where he orchestrated one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history.
Spagnuolo’s unit led the league in sacks during the 2007 season, resulting in a Super Bowl XLII victory, during which his defense sacked Tom Brady five times.
His success as defensive coordinator of the Giants earned Spagnuolo an opportunity to be head coach of the St. Louis Rams in 2009. Spagnuolo spent three seasons as the Rams’ head coach before being fired and joining the New Orleans Saints as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2012.
Spagnuolo then spent two seasons as a defensive assistant for the Baltimore Ravens before returning to the Giants from 2015-2017. In 2019, Spagnuolo rejoined Andy Reid as defensive coordinator of the Chiefs. Spagnuolo spent several years on Reid’s coaching staff in Philadelphia.
“He is going 💯 mph. Very intelligent and loves doing what he does. I think that will be infectious with the players."
Coach Reid on his new defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/MbhjcgZG9S
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 27, 2019
How Long Has Spagnuolo Been the Chiefs’ Defensive Coordinator?
Spagnuolo has been the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator since 2019 and is therefore in his sixth season of his tenure with the team in 2024. Under his guidance, Kansas City’s defense has been a dominant force that has continuously kept the Chiefs competitive each season.
In 2023, Spagnuolo’s unit allowed the second-fewest points per game (17.3) and recorded 57 sacks, the second most in franchise history. His defense also ranked first in second-half points allowed. With a defense that continually shuts down the league’s best offenses, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator continues to set the bar high for his squad’s expectations.
Who Was the DC Before Spagnuolo?
Prior to Spagnuolo’s arrival in 2019, Bob Sutton served as the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator from 2013 to 2018. Sutton brought a wealth of coaching experience to Kansas City, as he initially got his coaching start as a graduate assistant for Michigan in 1972.
During his six-year tenure in Kansas City, Sutton’s defenses were dominant to start. Yet, as the years went on, Sutton’s defensive units began to struggle, and he was ultimately fired after an underwhelming performance in 2018.
In Sutton’s final season as defensive coordinator in Kansas City, the Chiefs allowed 26.3 points per game, ranking among the league’s worst defenses in 2018. Sutton’s predictable defensive scheme and postseason struggles ultimately led to his departure.