Super Bowl LVIII’s results favored the Kansas City Chiefs securing their third title in five years. The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with their defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks, shortly after the game in pursuit of his replacement, reportedly on the other sideline.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was rumored to be the primary target, according to NFL Insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The statement was made on a recent episode of The Athletic Football Show podcast, discussing the latest news around the league.
“On the coaching side, which there is no cap, right? Steve Spagnuolo signs a couple of days after,” said Russini. “San Francisco was flirting with him and bringing him in as DC (Defensive Coordinator).”
Spagnuolo has garnered more appreciation around the league by leading another defense to a Super Bowl victory. He turned around a unit that struggled for seasons before taking the job in Kansas City in 2019.
The Chiefs wasted little time after the Super Bowl to retain Spagnuolo, signing him to a contract extension moments before the start of the championship parade on February 14th. The 49ers recently interviewed Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt before announcing the hiring of Nick Sorensen from the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
