Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo leaves NFL head coaching door open

Spagnuolo has been a coach in the NFL since 1999. He's had four separate stints as a defensive coordinator: two with the New York Giants (2007-08, 2015-17), one with the New Orleans Saints (2012), and, of course, his current one with the Chiefs since 2019. Spags is a three-time Super Bowl champion as a DC — twice with the Chiefs and once with the Giants.

Meanwhile, Spagnuolo had one stint as an NFL head coach with the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11. He was technically an interim head coach with the Giants as well, briefly in 2017. As a head coach, Spags' win/loss record is 11-41 — not exactly a desirable resume. 

One could be wary about wanting Spags to be a head coach for their team based on his previous record, but Spags has clearly improved as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. His defenses in Kansas City have consistently ranked higher than his defenses in New York, St. Louis and New Orleans in terms of yards allowed, points allowed and takeaways.

Here's how the average ranks shake out under Spags:

• Chiefs: 14.6 (yards allowed), 8.6 (points allowed), 14.4 (takeaways)
• Giants: 17 (yards allowed), 16.2 (points allowed), 16.4 (takeaways)
• Rams: 23.3 (yards allowed), 23 (points allowed), 24.7 (takeaways)
• Saints: 32 (yards allowed), 31 (points allowed), 12 (takeaways)

If Spagnuolo has improved so much as a DC, it'd be reasonable to assume that he could do the same as head coach, especially after spending five-plus seasons with one of the NFL's greatest coaches in Andy Reid.

At this point, Spagnuolo probably won't earn a head coaching gig in 2024 as the new hiring cycle has ended, barring any surprises. But yet another potential Super Bowl victory this Sunday plus continued success in 2024 could mean Spagnuolo receives some interviews from head coach-needy teams in 2025.