KC Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo on Head Coaching Jobs; Chris Jones Chimes In

Spagnuolo and his star defensive tackle discussed the possibility of the veteran defensive coordinator ever entering the head coaching world again.

One of the natural downsides that come with being a great team is coaches getting offered job opportunities elsewhere. The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to coordinators and position leaders departing for other franchises, although they've done a good job keeping some of their top contributors in place in recent years.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is one of those pieces. With that said, it isn't as if teams have seriously inquired about him recently for open head coaching vacancies.

Is that how Spagnuolo would prefer it? Not necessarily. Speaking to the media on Opening Night of Super Bowl LVIII week, the 64-year-old admitted he'd like to get a chance to get back into the head coaching world. 

"I would love another shot," Spagnuolo said per Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports. "But I'm OK if we keep going to Super Bowls." 

This has been a familiar sentiment from Spagnuolo. Right around this time last year, he said he'd be "happy" to try his hand at leading a team again but also indicated he's "very content" sticking around in Kansas City if that never comes to fruition.

For Spagnuolo, it's been over half a decade since he's been the head coach of an NFL team. In three years with the Los Angeles Rams (the St. Louis Rams when he coached there), his teams posted a frightful 10-38 record. In 2017, the New York Giants went 1-3 with him filling in as interim head coach down the stretch. Since then, he's worked exclusively as a defensive coordinator. 

During his tenure in Kansas City, Spagnuolo has fielded a mixed bag of defenses. This season's is hands-down his best, though, as the Chiefs possess a top unit in the league. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, a major factor on that side of the ball, had nothing but praise for Spagnuolo on Monday night. 

"Yeah, it was very surprising that literally he wasn't interviewed for any head coaching vacancies," Jones said. "I think he still is not getting the respect he deserves around this league with the success he's had, not only as a defensive coordinator. You look at his resume, he's the only defensive coordinator to win two Super Bowls with two different teams. As long as we keep him, we'll continue winning, man."

With this year's NFL head coaching carousel slowing down, Spagnuolo figures to remain a Chief for a sixth-straight season in 2024-25. His players would undoubtedly welcome it, as he's one of the more beloved coordinators in the league. At various points throughout the past several years, stars and role players alike have expressed their appreciation for his intelligence, coaching style and personality. Now over a half-decade into his time in Kansas City, Spagnuolo has a defense that's tailor-made to suit him. It'd be tough to leave that behind, and he doesn't appear too upset that it isn't likely. 

For now, both Spagnuolo and the Chiefs can appreciate what's been built. Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers will serve as one final test for this season.

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