Spagnuolo’s Decision to Stay With Giants Is Rewarded

Steve Spagnuolo, who helped shut down the highest-scoring offense in N.F.L. history in the Super Bowl, will remain with the Giants as defensive coordinator after spending days being interviewed by the Washington Redskins for their head-coaching position.

The Giants gave Spagnuolo a new three-year contract, worth roughly $2 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the N.F.L.

After Tuesday’s parade in Manhattan and pep rally at Giants Stadium to honor the new Super Bowl champion Giants, Spagnuolo was flown to the Washington area to meet with the Redskins’ owner, Daniel Snyder. They met for several hours Tuesday night and for most of the day Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Giants announced that Spagnuolo decided to remain with the team, and the Redskins are still looking for a coach.

“I appreciated Mr. Snyder giving me the opportunity to visit with him,” Spagnuolo said in a statement released by the Giants. “I have a great deal of respect for him and the Washington Redskins organization. I was happy to have the opportunity to explore that situation, but I am equally happy to be staying in New York and look forward to continued success with the Giants.”

Spagnuolo, 48, became a hot coaching prospect in his first season as an N.F.L. coordinator, after his slow-starting defense evolved into one of the best. The Giants held the Patriots, who set a record for points in a season (589), to a season low during the Giants’ 17-14 victory in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday.

“Steve is a hard worker who has quickly earned the respect of the players and coaches, and he has earned the consideration he is being given,” Giants Coach Tom Coughlin said. “Needless to say, I am happy that he will be remaining here.”

The decision means that Coughlin’s staff is likely to remain virtually unchanged heading into the 2008 season. The only major question remaining is the status of Coughlin, 61, who has one year remaining on his contract. The Giants will offer him a multiyear deal, but serious negotiations have not begun.

It was a vastly different story a year ago. After an 8-8 season and a first-round playoff loss, the Giants hesitated before deciding to retain Coughlin, who had to fill all three coordinator positions — offense, defense and special teams. Kevin Gilbride was elevated to offensive coordinator from quarterbacks coach, and Tom Quinn was promoted to lead the special teams. Chris Palmer was hired to take Gilbride’s place with the quarterbacks.

Spagnuolo was the one coordinator hired from outside. He had spent eight seasons as a defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles, the final three leading the linebackers.

He brought an aggressive style of defense to the Giants, featuring a broad mix of blitzes and a more physical approach from the cornerbacks. After the Giants allowed 80 points in the first two regular-season games, both losses, Spagnuolo’s defense solidified into one of the league’s best. It finished seventh in total defense (yards allowed), after finishing 25th among the 32 teams in 2006, with an unusual number of injuries to starting players, under Tim Lewis.

The turnaround began in Week 3 against the Redskins. A goal-line stand in the final minute secured a 24-17 victory and might have received the attention of Snyder.

The position with the Redskins comes with some unusual circumstances. After the resignation of Joe Gibbs in early January, the Redskins hired most of a coaching staff, short of the top position, meaning that the head coach will not choose his own assistants. And the Redskins are far above the salary cap, meaning they will have to trim a roster that went 9-7 and lost in the first round of the playoffs last season.

The former Giants coach Jim Fassel is among a handful of candidates the Redskins are considering

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