Steve Spagnuolo hired by Ravens as senior defensive assistant, per report

The Baltimore Ravens have hired Steve Spagnuolo on Friday as the team's new senior defensive assistant, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

Spagnuolo was most recently the Saints defensive coordinator in 2012 but was fired in late January after the team posted the worst defense in the league, which heavily contributed to them missing the playoffs. The Ravens have been known for tough defense since they used the No. 26 overall pick in 1996 to select future hall of fame linebacker Ray Lewis. However, now Lewis and several other defensive starters including Ed Reed are gone and the Ravens will have to take the field with a rebuilt defense.

Spagnuolo broke into the NFL as a coach in 1999 as a defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles. Since that time he has been a position coach, a defensive coordinator for the Giants, the defensive coordinator for the Saints and the head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

The Ravens are coming off their second franchise Super Bowl victory, but, as always in the AFC North, have a tough row to hoe. On top of facing the Steelers and up and coming Bengals twice every year, the Ravens will have to face the Broncos, Texans, Packers, Bears and Patriots.