NY Giants Update: Steve Spagnuolo Reunites with Coughlin

The New York Giants have brought back Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo, who is 'ecstatic' to be back with coach Tom Coughlin, will be the new defensive coordinator.

"The energy, enthusiasm and strong personality that we saw before in Steve Spagnuolo, all of that was very evident again," Coughlin said reported by CBS New York. "His desire to be a Giant again was very, very obvious."

Spanguolo stated, "This is both new and familiar at the same time. I was hoping to take the next step, God willing, and be a coordinator again. I'm ecstatic that it's with Tom Coughlin. Tom is the highest character guy I know. The feeling I have is one of excitement. We're going to work our butts off, and hopefully we will do great things together."

Prior to being hired by the Giants, Spagnuolo was a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens for the past two seasons. He also had unsuccessful stints as a head coach for the St. Louis Rams and as a defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints.

Spagnuolo, 55, was a part of the coaching staff that helped the Giants win the 2007 NFL Championship. He was hired by the Giants on Jan. 22, 2007 after spending eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Giants, he led a unit that ranked first in the league with a total of 53 sacks. The Giants went off to win three straight playoff games before upsetting the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. During the postseason, the Giants allowed an average of 16.3 points per game.

"That really was a special time," Spagnuolo said. "What I remember most are the relationships we made with the players and coaches and everyone else in the organization. We've always felt like the Giants are a big part of our lives."

During the following year, Spanguolo continued to improve the Giants defense. His impressive work got him the job as the head coach of the Rams.

He is now replacing Perry Fewell, who has been with the Giants for five years. The Giants had reportedly interviewed Dennis Allen, the former head coach of the Oakland Raiders, Raheem Morris, the defensive backs coach for the Washington Redskins and Pepper Johnson, a former linebacker for the Giants for this position as well.

"Steve has so much enthusiasm in front of the room," Coughlin said. "His defense has changed since he was last here. He worked in Baltimore with John Harbaugh and Dean Pees, and they are outstanding defensive coaches. He has studied defenses. Steve visited colleges and talked to college coaches, including Urban Meyer to learn how to defend the spread offenses that have become so popular."

The Giants also hired Tim Walton as the secondary/cornerbacks coach, who will be replacing Peter Giunta. Walton, 43, was the defensive coordinator of the Rams in 2013.

The Giants went 6-10 this season. The team ranked 29th in the league in total defense.