_2.jpg) Sparano as head coach of the Dolphins in 2011 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | October 7, 1961 West Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died: | July 22, 2018 (aged 56) Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | New Haven (CT) Lee |
| College: | New Haven |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 32–41 (.438) |
| Postseason: | 0–1 (.000) |
| Career: | 32–42 (.432) |
| Record at Pro Football Reference | |
Anthony Joseph Sparano III[1] (October 7, 1961 – July 22, 2018) was an American professional football coach. He served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) and is the only NFL head coach to have led a team to the playoffs the year following a one-win season, and only the second to conduct a ten-game turnaround, both of which he accomplished in his first season with the Dolphins.[2] He was fired by the Dolphins in December 2011 after a 4-9 start to the season, Sparano's worst start in his four-year tenure with the Dolphins.[3]
Sparano was the offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2016 until his death in July 2018.[4]
- ^ Kelly, Omar (August 28, 2008). "Handpicked to right ship". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ "Dolphins still have room to improve after remarkable turnaround". NFL.com. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- ^ "Dolphins fire coach Tony Sparano". www.espn.com. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ Malloy, Theresa (July 22, 2018). "Sources: Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano Dies". KSTP. Archived from the original on July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.