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          NFL Nation

          Ravens add Spagnuolo to experienced staff

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterMay 3, 2013, 06:02 PM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          The Baltimore Ravens should be the NFL's most well-coached team. Well, that's based on the number of coaches and their experience in the NFL.

          The latest addition was Steve Spagnuolo, the former St. Louis Rams head coach and defensive coordinator for the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints. Spagnuolo was hired Friday to be the Ravens' full-time senior defensive consultant.

          The Ravens now have 21 coaches on their staff, the most in the AFC North. In comparison, the Pittsburgh Steelers have 15 coaches. Baltimore has one coach devoted to the run game (Juan Castillo) and three for special teams alone (special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg, assistant special teams coach Chris Hewitt and kicking consultant Randy Brown).

          The defending Super Bowl champions have invested a lot into its coaching staff, considering the resumes. There are two former head coaches (Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell), three coaches with defensive coordinator experience (Castillo, defensive coordinator Dean Pees and inside linebackers coach Don "Wink" Martindale) and one ex-offensive coordinator (receivers coach Jim Hostler).

          Spagnuolo's ties with coach John Harbaugh date back to the Philadelphia Eagles. They were on that staff for eight years, from 1999 to 2006.

          Spagnuolo became one of the hottest head coaching candidates during his two years (2007-08) as the Giants defensive coordinator. His defense was instrumental in the Giants' Super Bowl title, slowing down Tom Brady and the highest scoring team in league history.

          He was hired as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams but lasted only three seasons. His overall record was 10-38.

          Spagnuolo then spent just one season as the Saints defensive coordinator. He was fired in January after his defense allowed the most yards for a season of any defense in NFL history.

          “His wealth of NFL coaching experience speaks for itself and he’ll help us across the board,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “We think he can help with every position on the defense, and we’ll take full advantage of his knowledge and excellent teaching abilities. The Ravens got better today with the addition of an outstanding coach and person like Steve.”