The Broncos had to hurry to set up an interview — even an informal one — with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, because NFL rules only allow interviews with coaches whose current teams are in the playoffs until the Sunday of the bye week.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and Joe Ellis, the team’s chief operating officer, were scheduled to meet with Spagnuolo in the New York area Saturday night.
The Broncos cannot talk to Spagnuolo again until the Giants are eliminated from the playoffs or until the week between the NFC championship game and the Super Bowl, if the Giants advance that far.
None of the Broncos’ other NFL candidates have teams in the playoffs, so they can interview candidates such as New England’s Josh McDaniels, Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris and Dallas’ Jason Garrett at any time.
The Broncos also would like to talk to Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, but he is in Miami preparing the Sooners for the Bowl Championship Series title game Thursday.
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
About Spagnuolo
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been among the hottest head-coaching candidates the past two offseasons. Yet it hasn’t been a quick journey, with stops at six colleges, two NFL Europe teams and two NFL teams.
Spagnuolo’s coaching experience
1982-83: University of Massachusetts, graduate assistant
1984-86: Lafayette College, defensive line/special teams
1987-91: University of Connecticut, defensive coordinator/defensive backs
1992: Barcelona Dragons, defensive line/special teams
1993-94: University of Maine, defensive coordinator/def. backs/linebackers
1994-95: Rutgers, defensive backs
1996-97: Bowling Green, defensive backs
1998: Frankfurt Galaxy, defensive coordinator/linebackers
1999-2006: Philadelphia Eagles, defensive backs, linebackers
2007-08: New York Giants, defensive coordinator
