Raiders Rumors: Steve Spagnuolo ‘One to Watch’ for HC due to ‘Tom Brady’s Respect’ | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

As the Las Vegas Raiders continue their search for a new head coach, a candidate who has a history with new part-owner Tom Brady could reportedly have the inside track to the job.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that he has “heard that Tom Brady’s respect for Steve Spagnuolo, after competing against him, could make (the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator) one to watch in Las Vegas.”

Before arriving in Kansas City in 2019, Spagnuolo made a name for himself as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants when they upset Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in 2007. Brady got his revenge in 2020 when he led Tampa The Bay Buccaneers past the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, giving the legendary quarterback his seventh and final championship ring.

Brady, who bought five percent of the shares of the Raiders this season, will hope to usher in a new era in Las Vegas. Glaciers reported Monday that his influence was already felt when the team opted to part ways with first-year head coach Antonio Pierce.

“It’s well established that Brady wasn’t happy with the way things worked out with Antonio Pierce, which is one of the reasons Pierce isn’t there anymore,” Breer said.

Despite Brady’s affinity for Spagnuolo, it should be noted that his previous stints as a head coach did not go very well. Spagnoulo was the head coach of St. Louis Rams from 2009 to 2011 and served as interim head coach of the Giants in 2017, compiling a career record of 11-41.