Earlier this month, Kyle Shanahan, the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, terminated the contract of defensive coordinator Wilks, concluding his tenure with the team after only one year. Despite the team’s appearance in Super Bowl LVIII last season and a closely contested overtime match against the Chiefs resulting in a heartbreaking loss, Wilks was relieved of his duties.
In 2023, San Francisco appointed Steve Wilks as their defensive coordinator following DeMeco Ryans’ departure to assume the head coach position with the Houston Texans. However, recent reports indicate that Spagnuolo, who has defeated the 49ers in two of the past five Super Bowls (LIV and LVIII), had a contract set to expire.
Although his contract was initially slated to conclude after the season, the Chiefs swiftly moved to extend the tenure of head coach Andy Reid’s long-time associate. ESPN reports that Spagnuolo’s new contract will earn him approximately $5 million annually.
Spagnuolo has served as the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator since 2019 and has crafted some of the most notable defensive strategies in Super Bowl history. He succeeded Bob Sutton in 2019 and has secured three Super Bowl rings, including one in 2007 when the Giants prevented the Patriots from achieving a 19-0 record with an upset victory in Super Bowl XLII. Additionally, Spagnuolo boasts four championships as a coordinator, two of which were achieved against the 49ers. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the only coach in NFL history to win four Super Bowls as either an offensive or defensive coordinator, having claimed his first with the Giants in 2007 and subsequently securing three with the Chiefs.
