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When you are the coordinator which goes down in the history books as having the worst statistical defense of all time, that should be an automatic termination tbh
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton has fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo
By Larry Holder, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune
on January 24, 2013 at 5:34 PM, updated January 24, 2013 at 5:58 PM Print
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton wasted no time making sweeping changes on his third day back on the job as he has fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive backs coach Ken Flajole.
"I personally want to thank Steve and Ken for their contributions during what was an unprecedented 2012 season," Payton said in a statement. "Philosophically we are changing our defense to a 3-4 alignment and right now is the best time to accomplish this transition."
The Saints gave up the most yards in a single season in NFL history under Spagnuolo's watch in his first year and only season with the Saints. New Orleans also finished 31st in points allowed.
"It's very unfortunate, but I guess that's what Sean wanted to do so that's what Sean did," defensive end Will Smith said Thursday night.
When asked what he thought about the defense moving to a 3-4 scheme, Smith said, "We were primarily a 3-4 in certain situations last year, and the past two year's with Gregg (Williams) we were a form of 3-4. So I mean he (Payton) probably thinks it would probably be the best defense to help the team. That's his take on it. I haven't had a chance to speak to him on it or anybody. He's the head coach and he makes the final call."
When you are the coordinator which goes down in the history books as having the worst statistical defense of all time, that should be an automatic termination tbh
Tbh all they needed was a prime Osi, Strahan, Tuck and Antonio Pierce. Then Spags woulda been a great man for the job.
wow, bad move.
spags had to work with the wack ass roster mickey loomis built.
Spags was too rigid. This roster was better in a 3-4 yet he wouldn't adapt at all. He had it coming. Even the secondary play worsened significantly even though the same people were there last season.
my homie is a saints fan and he is so excited about spags getting the boot.
like i told him, loomis knew what type of guy he was getting when he hired him.
the saints offseason was a mess.
the personnel on defense is below average.
it was a lose/lose situation for him.
but i see where the fans are coming from.
the defense was bad on historic levels so somebody had to take the fall.
Its not all on Spags. The talent level isn't there, but I do think coaching played a role. I liked Spags and was ok with bringing back, but I can see why Payton let he and the secondary coach especially if the plan is to go to a 3-4.
It'll be interesting to see what the Saints do with Vilma at this point if they're moving to a 3-4. The Jets got rid of him for pennies on the dollar largely because of how bad he was as a 3-4 ILB.
i think vilma is out of there. along with will smith's old ass.
I think they're gonna release Vilma or ask him to restructure. Will Smith will get released. Same with Roman Harper and maybe Sedrick Ellis.
Spags is a control freak,which is ok i guess,if you can produce results. He obviously didn't produce anything positive there.
He's also a stubborn gameday coach who can't adapt or make adjustments very well. Many times while in St Lou he would put together a pretty decent defensive gameplan going in,only to have the opposing team adjust to it at halftime....yet Spags couldn't(or wouldn't) back down from his approach.
Its been said by players and employees that Spags tried to run a tight ship and micromanaged to a fault.
IMO he's a good x's and o's guy who just cant manage people and personnel very well.
Ken Flajole was his DC in St Louis.
I don't know if it was Flajole's fault or not, but the secondary was dreadful under his watch this season.
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