Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo returns to site of World Bowl 1998 loss
One Kansas City Chiefs coach has some unfinished business in Frankfurt, Germany that could be beneficial come Week 9's tilt against the Miami Dolphins. In 1998, Deutsche Bank Park was known as Waldstadion, and in that inaugural season, it was home to NFL Europe's World Bowl. After going 7-3 during the course of the regular […]
One Kansas City Chiefs coach has some unfinished business in Frankfurt, Germany that could be beneficial come Week 9's tilt against the Miami Dolphins.
In 1998, Deutsche Bank Park was known as Waldstadion, and in that inaugural season, it was home to NFL Europe's World Bowl. After going 7-3 during the course of the regular season and earning first place in the league, the Frankfurt Galaxy faced off against the Rhein Fire. You can actually watch the entire grainy broadcast on YouTube.
That team featured a name that long-time Chiefs fans will be familiar with. Damon Huard was the quarterback for that team and he threw for 1,857 yards, just six years before he'd become a quarterback for Kansas City.
There was also another familiar name on the coaching staff: Steve Spagnuolo.
How the 1998 World Bowl and Week 9 present similar challenges
Spagnuolo was still a young coach. He'd not yet coached in the NFL before and was coordinating the defense and coaching linebackers for Frankfurt. That wouldn't last long as the next season, he'd be hired by then-Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid.
Speaking to media members this week, Spagnuolo reflected on his experience coaching in Germany for a season.
“I had an old windbreaker, a button-down jacket that was purple, because we were purple, and I think there was a little gold, they’re great uniforms," Spagnuolo said. "That was a tremendous experience, I loved it."
Unfortunately, Spags' coaching tenure in Frankfurt didn't end well. In a game with pouring rain, his defense surrendered four touchdowns and two field goals in the championship. They'd lose the game 34-10 after struggling to stop both the run game and the passing game for the Rhein Fire.
"We ended up going to the World Bowl, which was in Frankfurt that year," Spagnuolo said. "The (Rhein) Fire beat us. You always remember when you get beat, right? It was a great atmosphere. The people there, the game was exciting – they cheer constantly. You can’t tell if you did good or bad because they’re always cheering – which is great, they’re really into it. It was a great experience.”
Spagnuolo told reporters that he wished he could find his Frankfurt Galaxy jacket, but what he does have on hand is the memories rushing back as he returns to the area.
The challenges that his defense faces now are similar to the challenges they faced way back in 1998. There is even rain in the forecast, but now the stadium has a retractable roof. The Dolphins offense is dynamic in both facets of the offensive game, and making that team one-dimensional will be a big goal. Hopefully, the results this time around are better for the veteran defensive coordinator.
Chiefs vs. Dolphins broadcast info: Will you be able to watch on TV?
A look at broadcast information for NFL Network’s coverage of the Kansas City Chiefs’ game vs. the Miami Dolphins in Germany.
