by Todd Pheifer

Created on: September 14, 2009

Tony Sparano is the current head coach of the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). Sparano's first year of coaching with the Dolphins in 2008 is seen as a particular success because the team went 1-15 in 2007 and then went 11-5 in 2008. The Dolphins won the AFC East, before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Game. Here are a few other details on the playing and coaching carer of Tony Sparano.

Playing career

Sparano was born October 7, 1961 in West Haven, Connecticut. He went to college at the University of New Haven where he played center. Despite a solid college career as a player, Sparano did not play professionally in the National Football League.

Coaching career

The coaching career of Tony Sparano began at his alma mater, when he was hired to coach the offensive line in 1984. He held that position for four seasons, after which he moved on to Boston University where he again coached the offensive line. The next season he was promoted to offensive coordinator at Boston University. That position was also held for four years. In 1994, Sparano returned to his alma mater, this time as head coach. He led the Division II school to two playoff appearances in five seasons. In 1999, Sparano began his climb through the NFL ranks. His first stop was the Cleveland Browns, where he was the offensive quality control coach in 1999 and offensive line coach in 2000. The next year he coached the tight ends for the Washington Redskins and the following year he again coached the tight ends but this time for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2003, the Dallas Cowboys and Bill Parcells hired Sparano. Over the next few seasons he coached the tight ends and then moved up to being an assistant head coach. Finally, in January of 2008 Sparano was hired by the Miami Dolphins to be their new head coach. At the time, Parcells was vice president of football operations, which helped Sparano get the job.

Future prospects

Tony Sparano appears to have the Dolphins heading in the right direction. However, professional football can change very quickly and Sparano will need to maintain some winning ways in order to keep fans and management happy. Tony is in the second year of a four-year contract, and it will be interesting to see if Miami repeats the success from 2008.

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