Cold Water Update courtesy of Reuben Frank of CSN Philly:
"Spagnuolo, let go by the St. Louis Rams last week, is expected to be back in Philadelphia by the end of the week," La Canfora wrote.
The wording in that report led several area news outlets to report that Spagnuolo’s greatly anticipated return to the Eagles had been finalized.
However, La Canfora said via e-mail Tuesday that when he wrote "expected to be back in Philadelphia," he only meant Spagnuolo is expected to meet with Reid and the Eagles within the next week and no deal is in place.
Reid is on vacation and not expected back in town this week.
Uh, maybe just word it accurately in the first place, La Canfora?
Original story after the jump:
According to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, Steve Spagnuolo is expected to "be back in Philly" by the end of the week:
Spagnuolo, let go by the St. Louis Rams last week, is expected to be back in Philadelphia by the end of the week. The Eagles released a secondary coach over the weekend, so they have flexibility to move around the staff and bring Spagnuolo back as an assistant head coach, if not defensive coordinator. If Andy Reid wants to retain embattled defensive coordinator Juan Castillo in some other capacity, that's a possibility as well, according to league sources. Spagnuolo is a disciple of former Eagles defensive guru Jim Johnson, and was much-liked during his eight-year stint on Andy Reid's staff. Spagnuolo wanted to take time off last week, according to a league source, but expect his phone to start ringing quickly.
Andy Reid is reportedly on vacation and the Eagles had no comment, according to Jeff McLane of philly.com. Spagnuolo is also on vacation.
As we all know, Spagnuolo served as an assistant under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson from 1999-2006 in a variety of roles from defensive assistant, to defensive backs coach, to linebackers coach. In 2007, he was hired away by the rival New York Giants to be their defensive coordinator. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl in his first year on the job, largely on the back of that very defense.
After two seasons in New York, the Rams hired Spagnuolo to be their head coach. He went 1-15 his first year with the Rams, but looked like he was beginning to turn the franchise around after going 7-9 in 2010. However, the Rams regressed to 2-14 in 2011, and Spags was done in St. Louis.
La Canfora's report is vague to a degree, in terms of in what capacity Spagnuolo would return to Philly. It's unclear whether that would be officially as the "defensive coordinator" or some other title, but it's assumed that he would run the defense. It also leaves Juan Castillo's future role with the team as somewhat of an unknown.
If the report is accurate, Spagnuolo would be joining a staff that included several big name assistants, including offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, defensive line coach Jim Washburn, offensive line coach Howard Mudd, and special teams coach Bobby April. Dare I say "Dream Team?" Just kidding.