On Tuesday January 22, 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, who was defensive coordinator of the Chiefs from 2013-2018.
The Chiefs defense last year was appalling, ranking 24th in points allowed per game (26.3), 31st in total yards allowed per game (405.5), 31st in pass yards allowed per game (273.4), and 27th in rush yards allowed per game (132.1). The Chiefs defense last year was clearly their weakness, and it was ready for a change.
After Bob was fired, it took the Chiefs all of 2 days to find his replacement.
On Thursday January 24, 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs hired coach Steve Spagnuolo as their defensive coordinator. Coach Spagnuolo has some history with Coach Reid, working together in Philadelphia from 1999-2006. After his days in Philly, he coach Spagnuolo has been all over the league with his last job being defensive coordinator/interim head coach for the New York Giants in 2017. Coach Spagnuolo did not have a job for the 2018-2019 season.
Coach Spagnuolo has had some success in the league. In Philadelphia with coach Reid, they went to the playoffs 6 out of 8 years with 1 NFC championship under their belt. He also has led some of the Giants best defenses of the decade, coaching the ’08 Giants who were 5th in total defense and the ’16 Giants who were 2nd in total defense.
With his shades of glory as a defensive coordinator, most of his success came with coach Reid in Philly, which is why I think he’ll be a great fit in K.C. Coach Spagnuolo runs a 4-3 defense, which K.C fans have been waiting for. The 2018 Chiefs were a very similar team to Coach Spagnuolo’s ’16 Giants. They were both defenses that used small down linemen to bring pressure to the Qb and manipulate fronts to get key matchups. Last years signings of Hitchens and Speaks fit the 4-3 defense more.
I predict the Chiefs having way more success on the defensive side of the ball next year. Coaches with a lot of experience, and a history together, will know each other and know what they want to accomplish. The scheme will fit our defense well and if we can shape up our secondary, along with the new scheme, we should improve significantly as a defense to compliment our offense.
A Football Blog 