Denver's Head Coaching Search: The Case For Steve Spagnuolo

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, team COO Joe Ellis, and personnel chief Jim Goodman are currently on the east coast interviewing head-coaching candidates. They have planned a route that takes them to New York, Boston, Tampa, and Dallas before they return to Dove Valley to make their decision. This is why they should choose their first interviewee.

The 49-year old Spagnuolo is in his second season as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, and has already led his unit to top-10 finishes in most defensive categories both of his seasons at the helm (defensive categories include: total yards/game, passing yards/game, and rushing yards/game. The passing defense ranked 11th in 2007, all other categories for '07 and '08 finished top-10).

Spagnuolo has been involved in football for most of his life. He played wide receiver at Springfield College and was an assistant on the University of Massachusetts football team as a graduate student.

After interning with the Washington Redskins in 1983, he worked on the coaching staffs of various colleges from 1983-1991 and again from '93-'97. He worked with NFL Europe for one season, and then joined the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff under legendary coordinator Jim Johnson.

Spagnuolo was taught well by Johnson in their eight years together, and brought many of his signature schemes to the Giants with him. The 4-3 base defense and the aggressive blitz packages are products of Johnson.

Spagnuolo signed with the Giants as defensive coordinator in early 2007, and exactly one year and one month later, he helped bring the Giants a Super Bowl title. He was the man behind the masterful stuffing of the New England Patriots' first ranked offense, and his defense sacked Tom Brady five times, the most he had been sacked in one game throughout all of '07.

Several days after the game, he was contacted by the Washington Redskins as a potential head coach. He turned them down, saying he didn't feel ready for a head coaching job just yet. 

Now, in January 2008, Spagnuolo is once again trying to lead the Giants to a Super Bowl, and he's once again on the list to be a head coach. This time, however, he has been more open and interested in a new position.

As Broncos writer Sayre Bedinger reported earlier, Spagnuolo is rumored to be one of the favorites to land the job in Denver. I think he is the best candidate for the job.

He brings the 4-3 defense, the same base that the Broncos have used for many years. His aggressive blitz packages could be one of the things that the Denver defense needs to improve in the '09 season. Of course, the new GM (whoever it may be) will undoubtedly bring a slew of new defensive player, both via the draft and free agency.

Spagnuolo could become one of the first head coaches to be the defensive signal-caller as well, or he could go on his own search for a defensive coordinator. His list could include a veteran such as Romeo Crennel, a dark-horse such as Raheem Morris of the Buccaneers, or one of Spagnuolo's own assistants from the Giants.

Offensively, Spagnuolo wouldn't have to worry. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and quarterbacks coach/offensive playcaller Jeremy Bates have proven to be a very effective team to both mentor and develop young players, and to call plays that put the Broncos in a position to win.

Similar to the Giants, the Broncos will have a very strong team of running backs, provided they stay healthy. Peyton Hillis is a power back like Brandon Jacobs. Ryan Torain could develop into a Derrick Ward-type, and Tatum Bell could mirror an Ahmad Bradshaw-type.

The defense does need re-structuring. Spagnuolo knows the kind of personnel that is needed for a defense to be successful. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will be a free agent, and he would instantly improve the rush defense. Spagnuolo, along with the new GM, would certainly bring in new players to improve the situation.

Whoever Pat Bowlen picks, he will choose wisely. He is an owner who truly loves his team, and he wants the team to be successful. I believe that Steve Spagnuolo is the coach that could do the most to help make the Denver Broncos successful.