For the second time in his NFL coaching career, Tony Sparano will be named the head coach of an NFL franchise. Both times, it came thanks to the Miami Dolphins. This second opportunity comes as he is promoted as the interim head coach of the Oakland Raiders - days after the Dolphins beat the Raiders 38-14, leading to the firing of Dennis Allen.
Sparano coached the Dolphins from 2008-2011, taking over after Cam Cameron was fired following the team's 1-15 season in 2007. Sparano immediately led Miami to an 11-5 record and the playoffs, but was never able to duplicate that success, going 18-27 over the two-plus years he remained with the team.
After the Dolphins fired him, Sparano spent one year with the New York Jets as the offensive coordinator before being fired. He then joined the Raiders as the offensive line coach and assistant head coach.
"Tony Sparano has a strong presence in this organization," Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie said in a statement. "His experience and leadership qualities will serve the team well in helping reach the goal of everyone here, which is to win football games."
ESPN first reported the promotion of Sparano, a move that is expected to be made official during McKenzie's 5pm ET news conference today.