ST. LOUIS, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was hired Saturday as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, the team announced.

The 49-year-old Spagnuolo, who agreed to a four-year contract, succeeds Jim Haslett, the interim coach who replaced the fired Scott Linehan early in the 2008 season.


Spagnuolo became the Giants' defensive coordinator in 2007. He previously was with the Philadelphia Eagles for eight seasons.

"We considered some very qualified and outstanding candidates for this position but we kept coming back to Steve Spagnuolo," Rams General Manager Billy Devaney said. "Steve has been on some outstanding defensive staffs during his 10 seasons in the NFL."

The Rams finished 2-14 in 2008.