Ravens Hire Steve Spagnuolo

Steve Spagnuolo, former head coach of the St. Louis Rams (2009-11), has joined the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff, it was announced today by head coach John Harbaugh. Spagnuolo's full-time position with the team is senior defensive assistant.

"Steve had a number of opportunities in the league right now, and we're excited he picked the Ravens," Harbaugh said. "He comes to a staff that we believe is very strong, and he makes us even better. His wealth of NFL coaching experience speaks for itself, and he'll help us across the board. We think he can help with every position on the defense, and we'll take full advantage of his knowledge and excellent teaching abilities. The Ravens got better today with the addition of an outstanding coach and person like Steve."

Below are highlights of Coach Spagnuolo's coaching career:

• Fourteen-year NFL coaching veteran, including last season (2012) as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, three seasons (2009-11) as head coach of the St. Louis Rams and two (2007-08) as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.
• Coached as part of teams that have clinched eight playoff berths, won six division titles, made five conference championship game appearances and won Super Bowl XLII (NYG - 2007).
• Spagnuolo was the defensive architect of the Super Bowl XLII Champion New York Giants (2007), a unit that ranked in the NFL's Top 10 in eight single-season statistical categories, including a league-high 53 sacks.
• Spent seven seasons (1999-2006) on the Philadelphia Eagles' coaching staff with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Ravens strength and conditioning coach Bob Rogucki also served as an assistant with the Eagles in 2006.
• From 2001-04, Harbaugh and Spagnuolo were on an Eagles' staff that won four-straight NFC East titles, reached four-consecutive conference championship games and earned one Super Bowl berth.
• From 1999-2005, Philadelphia ranked first in the NFL in third-down defense (33%), second in points allowed per game (17.0), second in quarterback sacks (265) and third in red zone defense (43%). During the 2001 campaign, the Eagles did not allow more than 21 points in 16-regular season games, just the fourth time that feat has been accomplished in NFL history.
• Led St. Louis to a six-game turnaround between 2009 and 2010, marking the second-best turnaround in the NFL during that span. The Rams also made significant defensive improvements in Spagnuolo's second-season at the helm:
• • Advanced 10 spots in total defense from 2009 to 2010
  • Ranked second in the NFL in third-down defense in 2010
  • Finished third in negative-play yardage (sacks and tackles for loss)
  • Ranked seventh in sacks in 2010
  • Improved from 31st to ninth in opponent passer rating from 2009-10 Helped develop young defensive talent, including Rams MLB James Laurinaitis, who led the team in tackles all three seasons under Spagnuolo. DE Chris Long also emerged as a young pass rushing threat, culminating in a career-high 13 sacks in 2011.
• A native of Whitinsville, Mass., Spagnuolo was the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year at Springfield College in 1982, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He also earned a master's degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts.

SPAGNUOLO'S COACHING BACKGROUND