METAIRIE, La. — A person familiar with the decision says former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo has agreed to take over as defensive coordinator for with the Saints.

The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced the hiring.

The 52-year-old Spagnuolo was head coach in St. Louis the past three seasons and was fired in January after going 10-38 with the Rams. Before that he was defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, a stint that included a Super Bowl upset of the New England Patriots.

Gregg Williams, who was New Orleans’ defensive coordinator the past three seasons, has joined Jeff Fisher’s staff in St. Louis.

Spagnuolo’s Rams was one of three teams to beat New Orleans during the regular season.