Tony Sparano, the coach of the Vikings offensive line, dies at the age of 56

Minnesota Vikings' offensive line coach and former Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano died suddenly on Sunday, the team said. He was 56 years old.

"We are wholeheartedly with Jeanette and the whole Sparano family while we all cry for Tony's loss," Vikings Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement. "Tony was a pbadionate and motivated man who cared deeply about his family, and particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony's presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. To Tony's family in this incredibly difficult time, Sparano was entering his third season as a coach of the Vikings offensive line under the direction of Mike Zimmer as part of a long career in coaching. NFL coach who debuted in 1999 when He was hired as an offensive quality control coach for the new Cleveland Browns franchise.

After several badistant coaching positions with several NFL teams, the Dolphins hired Sparano as head coach in 2008 after the 1-15 campaign, leading the Dolphins to an 11-5 mark and a first place finish in the AFC East in 2008, becoming the first entry

29-32 record in his almost four seasons with Dolphins.

He served as the interim head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2014 after the team fired Dennis Allen, posting a 3-9 mark.

Sparano was born in the West Haven, Connecticut, on October 7, 1961. He was a starting center for the University of New Haven, where he played from 1978 to 1981 and helped the team from NCAA Division II to achieve his first unbeaten season in 1979. He is a member of The New Haven Football Hall of Fame

Having made his debut in the ranks of college coaches with his alma mater as a 39, offensive line coach from 1984 to 1987, Sparano spent six seasons at Boston College, where he coached. to be promoted offensive coordinator. He then returned to New Haven in 1994 as head coach of the team, scoring 41-14 in five seasons before joining the Browns coaching team. .

In addition to Browns, Dolphins, Raiders and Vikings, Sparano Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys, Jets and 49ers during his career.

Sparano is survived by his wife Jeanette, sons Tony and Andrew, daughter Ryan Leigh and four grandchildren.