Steve Spagnuolo, who spent two seasons as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator, has been hired by the St. Louis Rams to be their next coach.
Rams spokesman Rick Smith said he was not aware of any announcement and no news conference was planned. Calls by The Associated Press to Spagnuolo's agent, Bob LaMonte, were not returned.
Spagnuolo, 49, agreed to a four-year deal worth about $12 million, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which was the first to report the hiring.
Spagnuolo replaces Jim Haslett and takes over a team that finished 2-14. Haslett went 2-10 as interim coach after his promotion from defensive coordinator when Scott Linehan was fired following an 0-4 start.
Spagnuolo was the architect of the Giants' sack-happy defense that thwarted New England's run to a perfect season in last year's Super Bowl upset.
By late afternoon, several media outlets were at Rams Park but there was no sign of Spagnuolo or Rams general manager Billy Devaney.
Spagnuolo was one of five finalists for the job, along with Haslett; Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett; and defensive coordinators Rex Ryan of Baltimore and Leslie Frazier of Minnesota. Garrett flew into St. Louis on Friday night, prompting speculation he would be the new coach. But he was only there for another interview.
The 49-year-old Spagnuolo took over as defensive coordinator in New York in 2007. A year before, New York ranked 25th in total defense. Under Spagnuolo in 2007, the Giants ranked seventh, led the league with 53 sacks and made the playoffs.
