Rams hire Spagnuolo

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Rams reached an agreement with Steve Spagnuolo on Saturday to make the New York Giants defensive coordinator their coach, general manager Billy Devaney told The Associated Press.

Devaney said the Rams have an agreement in principle with Spagnuolo, and meetings were continuing Saturday night on details of the contract. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Spagnuolo would be paid just under $12 million over four years. Devaney would not comment on the contract amount, and calls to Spagnuolo's agent, Bob LaMonte, were not returned.

Spagnuolo replaces Jim Haslett and takes over a team that finished 2-14. Haslett went 2-10 as interim coach after his promotion from defensive coordinator when Scott Linehan was fired following an 0-4 start.

Spagnuolo was the architect of the Giants' sack-happy defense that thwarted New England's run to a perfect season in last year's Super Bowl upset.