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A day after they fired Dennis Allen following an 0-4 start, the Oakland Raiders announced Tuesday that they had named Tony Sparano their interim coach.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Raiders Announced the Move in a News Conference Tuesday
Oakland Raiders name Tony Sparano interim Head Coach (via @RapSheet): http://t.co/tOAnJdhtj1 pic.twitter.com/gLSffzBwGh
— NFL (@nfl) September 30, 2014
After a 0-4 start for the Raiders under coach Dennis Allen, the Raiders have now named Tony Sparano the interim head coach.
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie stated, “Tony Sparano has a strong presence in this organization, his experience and leadership qualities will serve the team well in helping reach the goal of everyone here, which is to win football games.”
2. His First NFL Coaching Job Was With the Cleveland Browns
Sparano coached at various NFL teams throughout his career, including the Browns, Washington, the Cowboys, and Jaguars before getting becoming a head coach in the NFL.
In 1999, the first year back in the NFL for the Browns, Sparano was the offensive quality control coach and in 2000 he was in charge of the Browns’ offensive line. He spent time with Washington in 2001 and the Jaguars in 2002. In 2006 with the Cowboys, the team ranked fifth in the NFL for total offense with 425 points scored and was the fourth-highest total in the NFL, with Sparano as the Cowboys’ primary play-caller. He was with the Cowboys from 2003-2007 as the tight ends coach from 2003-04, offensive line/running game coordinator in 2005 and assistant head coach/offensive line from 2006-07.
3. He Was the Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins From 2008-11
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In 2008, Sparano was brought on as the Doplhins head coach.
He was the Cowboys’ assistant head coach at the time and signed a four-year contract worth $2.5 million to $2.7 million per year.
Thanks to Sparano, the team had one of the biggest turn arounds in NFL history.
4. Jeanette Sparano is his Wife
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Tony Sparano is married to his wife Jeanette and has three children. Two sons, Tony and Andrew and his daughter Ryan Leigh.
5. Sparano is From Connecticut & Had His 1st Coaching Job at the University of New Haven
Sparano got his start in New Haven, Connecticut at the University of New Haven as their head coach from 1994-1998.
Where he left with a record of 41-14 and winning four campaigns and one .500 season, including NCAA playoff berths. In 1997, he went 12-2 and led the country in scoring offense and ranked second in scoring defense. He also spent time at Boston University, where he led the Terriers to a 12-1 season, a conference title and a bid in the Division I-AA NCAA tournament quarterfinals.