Steve Spagnuolo to Giants: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Steve Spagnuolo spent two seasons as the New York Giants defensive coordinator from 2007-08. Now, he'll be returning to fill the same role once again with the team. The team announced the hiring on Twitter:

Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reported financial details of the agreement on Jan. 18:

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As co-owner John Mara suggested would happen last week, Spagnuolo signed a two-year deal, according to a person familiar with the contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, although it is assumed to be in the seven-figure range, which is what previous defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is collecting from the team for 2015. The two-year deal doesn't necessarily guaranteed Spagnuolo a couple years running the defense. If the Giants crash and burn this season and clean house afterwards, Spagnuolo could be a casualty as well. This is the just the way the Giants have almost always done their coaching contracts. It's sort of like a built-in severance package. 

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Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News initially reported the hire:

Spagnuolo's defense was the major factor in the New York Giants' upset of the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, but he's had his struggles in the league since. He spent three seasons as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11, but he finished with an abysmal 10-38 record. He then spent one season with the New Orleans Saints as the defensive coordinator but was fired after the year. 

Dan Graziano of ESPN has more on that disastrous season:

Spagnuolo has been with the Baltimore Ravens since as the defensive backs coach and as an assistant head coach.

The Giants will certainly hope he can recapture the lightning in a bottle he possessed in his first tenure with the team as defensive coordinator. The Giants finished 29th in yards allowed and tied for 22nd in points allowed per game this season. 

Perhaps reuniting with Tom Coughlin will help. On the other hand, Spagnuolo won't have Michael Strahan and a ferocious defensive line to scheme for this time around.

One way or another, the stakes are high for both men. For Spagnuolo, this could be his final chance to prove he can handle a high-profile coaching gig. For Coughlin, if this hire doesn't pan out, it could usher in the end of his tenure in New York. A lot is on the line for the Giants.