Redskins Down To Three Finalists For Head Coaching Job

Ashburn, VA (AHN) - The Washington Redskins search for a head football coach is down to three with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo emerging as the latest candidate.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder hopes to have a new coach as soon as the end of the week as the search is closing in on its fifth week.

Indianapolis defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel are the other candidates for the job.

Joe Gibbs resigned as the head coach of the Redskins on Jan. 8.

Spagnuolo was one of the mastermind's of one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history Sunday when the 12-point underdog Giants rallied for a 17-14 victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots.

Spagnuolo's defense held the Patriots to a season-low 14 points and sacked New England quarterback Tom Brady five times.

The 48-year-old Spagnuolo was a front office intern with the Redskins in 1983. He spent eight seasons with the Eagles before joining the Giants last season.

Sndyer also interviewed four other candidates that he's no longer considering -- Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz; Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach Jim Mora; Redskins assistant Gregg Williams; and former San Francisco and Detroit Lions head coach Steve Mariucci.

Synder at least had brief discussions with Southern California head coach Pete Carroll and former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.