Last week, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo indicated he’d like to be a head coach again. Well, that desire took a step further as two NFL teams have asked the AFC West Champions for permission to speak with him about two NFL vacancies.
This afternoon, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy completed an interview with the New York Jets for their head coaching position. He’s also drawing interest from the New Orleans Saints. Assistant General Manager Mike Borganzi met with the Jets brass today and is expected to interview with the Tennessee Titans later this week about their general manager position.
Yet, the news that shocked the Chiefs kingdom was that the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets asked Kansas City for permission to speak with Steve Spagnuolo. Like the interview with Nagy, because the Chiefs are on a bye week, the interviews will be virtual and not in person.
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The Raiders decision to speak with Spags is unique. In firing Anthony Pierce on Tuesday, the Chiefs DC was the first interview request they’ve made since the change of coaches. Tom Brady, a minority Raiders owner, has spoken glowingly about Spags. If he is the choice, he will bring Super Bowl credentials and professionalism to a franchise that has lost its way repeatedly.
It’s unknown how much influence Brady has over Raiders Owner Mark Davis, but he’s done a poor job hiring head coaches since his father, Al Davis, passed years ago. Brady knows the AFC West is stacked offensively, so hiring Spagnuolo would immediately help the Raiders defense.
For those hoping this doesn’t happen, Spags has delivered the goods for the Chiefs, and honestly, if I were a team in flux, this is the man I’d hire to bring respectability back to a floundering NFL franchise. In reality, the Jets job might be a better gig because the division is the Buffalo Bills and nothing else.
If Borganzi becomes the Jets general manager, I think both Nagy and Spags would be on his list. The Chiefs have figured out the championship formula, and after ignoring their recent success in previous hiring cycles, the Chiefs are well-represented this offseason.
If both leave, Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid will probably limit other staff departures to his former coordinators, but that does not mean some will go with either potential head coach.
