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Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs coordinator proves deserving of another head-coaching shot

By Matthew Neschis | Last updated 2/12/24

Though Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and HC Andy Reid are the faces of the NFL's next-great dynasty, there's another person who deserves far more recognition for his role in Kansas City's success.

With the Chiefs' 25-22 win over the 49ers in the Super Bowl, DC Steve Spagnuolo cemented himself as one of the greatest assistant coaches in NFL history. The 64-year-old became the first coordinator to win four Super Bowls, securing three with Kansas City in 2019, 2022 and 2023 along with one with the Giants in 2007.

The path to Super Bowl LVIII was not an easy one for the Chiefs, as Kansas City's defense was routinely tested against the best offenses in the league.

Kansas City faced four of the five 2023 MVP finalists (Buffalo's Josh Allen, Baltimore's Lamar Jackson, San Francisco's Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey) in the playoffs, as well as the first-, second-, fourth- and sixth- ranked total offenses (Dolphins, 49ers, Bills and Ravens, respectively). Yet after these teams averaged 28.3 points per game in the regular season, they averaged just 15.8 points versus the Chiefs in the postseason.

Sunday's victory in the big game wasn't the first time a Spagnuolo-led defense excelled as underdogs. The three best teams by DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) to lose the Super Bowl — the 2007 Patriots, 2023 49ers and 2019 49ers — all lost to opponents coached by the defensive coordinator.

Steve Spagnuolo, Defensive Coordinator https://t.co/eo380OfPUD pic.twitter.com/ciMKveH7Si
— Sam Hoppen (@SamHoppen) February 12, 2024

"Steve Spagnuolo is the best big-game defensive coordinator I've ever seen," ESPN's Dan Orlovsky said on "Get Up." "I think one of the best in the history of the NFL."

.@danorlovsky7 is giving credit to the Chiefs' defensive performance:

"Steve Spagnuolo is the best big-game defensive coordinator I've ever seen. I think one of the best in the history of the NFL." pic.twitter.com/TOHBjSUhNo
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 12, 2024

Despite boasting one of the most decorated careers for an assistant coach, Spagnuolo was overlooked in the latest hiring cycle that featured eight vacant head-coaching positions. He last served as a full-time HC with the Rams from 2009-11, during which the team went 10-38. Spagnuolo additionally filled in as interim HC for the Giants in 2017, finishing with a 1-3 record.

"Yeah, it was very surprising that literally he wasn't interviewed for any head coaching vacancies," Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said before the Super Bowl, via Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports. "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."

While Spagnuolo would accept another head-coaching opportunity should it arise, he appears more than content with his current gig.

"I would love another shot," Spagnuolo said last week, per Vacchiano. "But I'm OK if we keep going to Super Bowls."

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