Ex-Dolphins and Raiders head coach Tony Sparano dead at 56
Tony Sparano authored one of the biggest turnarounds in NFL history, the highlight of a life spent around the game
Sunday, he collapsed at his home and died. Sparano was 56.
Sparano, who was a head coach with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders, spent the past two seasons as the offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings.
It was the Vikings who made the announcement of Sparano’s death.
With deep regret the Minnesota Vikings announce that Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano unexpectedly passed away early this morning.https://t.co/AEjLksRoUp pic.twitter.com/sCJtnEvCVA
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 22, 2018
“Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren,” the team’s statement said. “Tony’s presence within the organization will be deeply missed.”
Sparano was Bill Parcells’ choice to take over the 1-15 Miami Dolphins in 2008. In his first season as head coach, Sparano’s hard-nosed approach guided the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and an AFC East title.
The Dolphins were unable to sustain that success, however, going 7-9 in consecutive years before a 4-9 start in 2011 led to Sparano’s dismissal.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Coach Tony Sparano. pic.twitter.com/UVxieE1Q6U
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 22, 2018
The New Haven, Connecticut native got a second chance as a head coach with the Raiders in 2014, taking over for the fired Dennis Allen four games into the season. But Oakland went 3-9 under Sparano as interim coach and he was fired after the season.
During a 19-year NFL career, Sparano was an assistant coach with Cleveland, Washington, Jacksonville, Dallas (under Parcells), with the Jets, 49ers and Vikings.
Last season, with journeyman quarterback Case Keenum, Minnesota had the sixth-ranked offense in the NFL.
1/2 More details on tragic passing of Vikings’ OL coach Tony Sparano, via @mortreport. Sparano complained about chest pains this weekend and went to hospital Thursday. Doctors did tests, but released him Friday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2018
2/2 Tony Sparano and his wife, Jeannette, were about to leave for church this morning when she found him unconscious in their kitchen. She tried CPR, but he could not be revived. He was 56.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2018
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Sparano was in the hospital Thursday, but released 24 hours later. He added that the coach had complained of chest pains prior to going to the hospital.
When he and his wife were ready to leave for church Sunday morning, she found he had collapsed in the kitchen. Attempts at CPR were unsuccessful.
“I love Tony Sparano,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me.”
Some Vikings players took to Twitter to honor Sparano after hearing of his death.
Really tough to see this, so much respect for this guy, great coach and great person! You will be missed by so many, thoughts and prayers to your family! RIP Coach https://t.co/cTFqtglDcD
— Adam Thielen (@athielen19) July 22, 2018
Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Sparano, his family and everyone in the @Vikings organization.. life’s precious and we just never know when it’s our time.. RIP Coach.. https://t.co/vOzlSoUTlq
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) July 22, 2018
Sparano was almost always seen wearing his signature sunglasses.
When asked why in 2015, he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that it was due to an injury he suffered at 16 years old, working in a fast food restaurant, with hot oil exploding into his face.
“You can see there’s still a scar on my face. I had a patch over my left eye for 22 days, a patch over my right eye for 14. The left eye never did get right. The cornea is burnt and sun-sensitive, light-sensitive.
“I hear people always say, ‘Why does he have these sunglasses on at a night game?’ Or, ‘Why is he wearing them inside?’ Hey, it’s that kind of bright light that causes my eyes to start running, tearing and crying.
Sparano is survived by his wife, Jeanette, two sons and a daughter, along with four grandchildren.
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