Jeff Haynes/Associated Press The Minnesota Vikings announced that offensive line coach Tony Sparano died unexpectedly early Sunday morning. He was 56. The team's owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, released the following statement: “Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony. Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony's presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. We are only thinking of Tony’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the entire NFL and Vikings family keep the Sparanos in their thoughts." Chris Mortensen of ESPN (via Adam Schefter) reported that Sparano "complained about chest pains" and went to the hospital Thursday but was released Friday after testing. Mortensen (via Schefter) added Sparano was about to leave for church when he was found unconscious and could not be revived. A number of NFL players also expressed their condolences: A cause of death remains unknown. Sparano began his NFL coaching career in 1999 with the Cleveland Browns as a quality control coach and offensive line coach before stints as a tight ends coach for Washington (2001) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2002). He then spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, serving multiple roles, before the Miami Dolphins hired him as a head coach in 2008. Sparano spent four seasons as Miami's head coach, going 29-32 and leading the team to a playoff appearance. His time in Miami is perhaps most famous for the wildcat formation that Miami utilized to catch teams off guard, with running backs taking a direct snap from center, starting a fad around the league. In 2012, he served as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets before spending two seasons with the Oakland Raiders, which included a 12-game stint as the team's interim coach in 2014. From there, he returned to his roots as a tight ends coach in San Francisco for a season before being hired by Minnesota to coach the offensive line in 2016.<doc-sep>Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano died unexpectedly early Sunday morning, the team announced. Sparano, 56, had coached with Minnesota since 2016. He began his NFL coaching career in 1999 and held head coach positions with the Miami Dolphins (2008-11) and Oakland Raiders (2014). He also coached various stints with the Jets, Cowboys, Jaguars, Browns and Redskins. The Vikings’ announcement on behalf of owners Mark and Zygi Wilf read as follows: “With deep regret the Minnesota Vikings announce that Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano unexpectedly passed away early this morning. “Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony. Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony's presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. We are only thinking of Tony’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the entire NFL and Vikings family keep the Sparanos in their thoughts.” ESPN reported that Sparano's wife found him unconscious in the family kitchen Sunday morning. On Thursday, ESPN said, Sparano went to the hospital for tests after complaining of chest pains. He was released on Friday. “I love Tony Sparano,” head coach Mike Zimmer said in a statement. “He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me. This is just sinking in for us, but Tony will be sorely missed by all.” Vikings players took to social media to express their surprise and condolences. Said new quarterback Kirk Cousins on Twitter: "Devastated to hear the news about Coach Sparano passing. Praying for his family through this tough time." “Man, when it rains it pours. Rest In Peace coach Sparano. Prayers going to your family and friends and our Viking organization. Lost 4 coaches in the past 2 months. Wishing I was able to reverse time and tell not just these people but everyone that’s import to me I appreciate you,” defensive end Tashawn Bower tweeted. “Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Sparano, his family and everyone in the @Vikings organization.. life’s precious and we just never know when it’s our time.. RIP Coach..” tweeted tight end Kyle Rudolph. Sparano is survived by his wife, Jeanette, his two sons, Tony and Andrew, his daughter, Ryan Leigh, and four grandchildren. Cause of death was not immediately available. The Vikings report for training camp Wednesday.<doc-sep>Tony Sparano, the West Haven native who rose from Lee High in New Haven to a head coaching job in the NFL, died unexpectedly Sunday. Sparano, who was 56, was about to start his third season as offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings, which reported the news of his death. He began his NFL coaching career in 1999 and served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins for nearly four seasons. In 2014, Sparano served as interim head coach of the Oakland Raiders. He was also an assistant with the Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys, Jets and 49ers during his NFL career. But Sparano made a name for himself in his hometown, leading his alma mater to the Division II national title game in 1997. He was head coach at UNH for five seasons before embarking on an NFL career. News of his death was met with shock and sadness in his home state and throughout the NFL. New Haven athletic director Chris Palmer, who mentored Sparano at UNH and Boston University and eventually brought him to the NFL, told Hearst Connecticut Media sports columnist Jeff Jacobs, “We lost a good man.” Chargers football coach Chris Pincince tweeted, “It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of Coach Tony Sparano. New Haven Alum and Hall of Famer. Riders of the Night! !” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said in a statement, “I love Tony Sparano. He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me. This is just sinking in for us, but Tony will be sorely missed by all.” Born Oct. 7, 1961 in West Haven, Sparano attended UNH 1979-81. He was the starting center at UNH and was part of an undefeated team in 1979. Sparano’s coaching career began at his alma mater in 1984, and he spent four seasons at UNH before moving to Boston University in 1988. He was offensive line coach for two seasons and offensive coordinator for four years at BU before returning to UNH as head coach in 1994. His five years as UNH head coach included a 9-0-1 regular season in 1995 and a 9-1 record in 1997, when the Chargers advanced to the Division II national title game. Sparano left UNH for the a position with the Cleveland Browns in 1999. The Browns were coached by Palmer, who developed a deep relationship with Sparano at UNH and BU. After two seasons in Cleveland, Sparano moved to Washington and Jacksonville before spending five seasons in Dallas. He became the Dolphins season coach in 2008 and was 29-32 in three-plus seasons. It was Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells who hired Sparano after the two worked together in Dallas. Sparano inherited a 1-15 team and produced an 11-5 record in his first season. “Tony made an indelible impact on our team’s history and his toughness, grit and leadership were evident to everyone who had the chance to coach with or play for him.,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “On behalf of the entire Dolphins organization, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Jeanette and the entire Sparano family.” Sparano is survived by his wife Jeanette, sons Tony and Andrew, daughter Ryan Leigh, and two grandchildren. Tony and Andrew played at the University of Albany and both went into coaching — Tony coached for Palmer with the UFL’s Hartford Colonials and is on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff, while Andy is coaching at Feather River Junior College in California.<doc-sep>
Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano died Sunday, days before the team was to report to training camp ahead of the 2018 season, the team announced. "Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony," Vikings Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement. "Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony's presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. We are only thinking of Tony's family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the entire NFL and Vikings family keep the Sparanos in their thoughts." General manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer also issued statements. "I am at a loss for words with Tony's sudden passing," Spielman said. "Tony loved the game of football and his players. More importantly, he was a strong man of faith who treasured his family. My heart is with the Sparanos today. As an organization we will support them in whatever ways we can." Zimmer added: "I love Tony Sparano. He was a great teacher, a grinder of a worker and had a toughness and fighting spirit that showed in our linemen. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and a great friend to me. This is just sinking in for us but Tony will be sorely missed by all." According to a report from ESPN, Sparano complained of chest pains Thursday and was hospitalized. He underwent tests and was discharged Friday. Sparano joined the Vikings staff 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 assistant head coach and offensive line coach with the Cowboys, and from 2008-2011 he served as the Dolphins head coach. Sparano went 11-5 during the '08 season, which coincided with the popularity of the wildcat offense. The Dolphins won the AFC East and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2001. They wouldn't appear in the postseason again until 2016. Sparano was 29-32 in Miami. His only other head-coaching stint came in 2014 when he served in an interim capacity for Dennis Allen, who was fired in Oakland after an 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, is survived by his wife, Jeanette, three children -- sons, Tony and Andrew, his daughter, Ryan Leigh -- and four grandchildren.