Tony Sparano, Vikings coach and former Dolphins coach, dies at age 56



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The coach of the Vikings offensive line Tony Sparano died Sunday, a few days before the team will show up at the training camp before the 2018 season, announced the coach. team.

"Our thoughts are with Jeanette and the whole Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony," Vikings Owners 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 at this incredibly difficult time, the entire NFL family and Vikings keep the Sparanos in their thoughts. "

Sparano joined the Vikings team before the 2016 season and before that he had been in the NFL since 1999 when he joined the Browns as a quality control coach. In 2007, he was named badistant head coach and offensive line coach with the Cowboys, and from 2008 to 2011 he was the head coach of the dolphins.

Sparano was 11-5 in the 2008 season, which coincided with the popularity of the wild attack. The Dolphins won the AFC East and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2001. They would not be back in the playoffs until 2016. Sparano was 29-32 years old in Miami. His only other head coaching position came in 2014 when he served tentatively for Dennis Allen, who was fired at Oakland after a 0-4 start. The Raiders finished with three wins and after the season, Sparano joined the 49ers. A year later, he was hired by Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.

Sparano, who was 56 years old, is survived by his wife, Jeanette, three children – sons Tony and Andrew, his daughter Ryan Leigh – and four grandchildren.

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