EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. � The New York Giants have promoted linebackers coach Bill Sheridan to defensive coordinator.

Sheridan replaces Steve Spagnuolo, who was hired as coach of the St. Louis Rams over the weekend.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin had said in recent weeks that he had plans if Spagnuolo left, and he needed only two days to promote Sheridan.

Sheridan has spent four seasons with the Giants as their linebackers coach, with his biggest challenge in 2007 when he helped Mathias Kiwanuka make the move from defensive end to linebacker.

Kiwanuka had to move back to defensive end this past season after Osi Umenyiora suffered a knee injury in a preseason game.

Before joining the Giants, Sheridan spent two decades as a college assistant.