Former Cowboys assistant Avezzano dead FORT WORTH, Texas, April 5 (UPI) -- Former Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano died in Italy Thursday at the age of 68, the team said. "Horrible news out of Italy this morning: Joe Avezzano had a heart attack on the treadmill and passed away," Richie Whitt of 105.3 The Fan tweeted. The Cowboys confirmed the death of the assistant who was hired by head Coach Jimmy Johnson in 1990, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Avezzano was in Italy to coach the American football team of Seamen Milano.