PHOTO GALLERY
Full Statement from University of New Haven President Steven Kaplan
Jeff Jacobs Column in the New Haven Register
New Haven Register Article by Paul Doyle
WEST HAVEN, Conn. - With deepest regrets, the University of New Haven mourns the loss of Tony Sparano '84 who is one of the most successful coaches in program history. As a player, Sparano was part of the 1979 team that posted the first undefeated season in school history (8-0-1), while in 1994, he returned to his alma mater to lead the Chargers to a 41-14-1 record in five seasons.
"Our hearts go out to the entire Sparano family in this difficult time," said Chris Palmer, Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Tony was a true Charger; as the most successful coach in program history, he made his mark on the program both as a player and coach. Sparano taught more than just the game, deeply affecting the lives of the young men he coached and those whom he coached with. He will be dearly missed."
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"On behalf of the entire University of New Haven community, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tony Sparano," said University of New Haven President Steven Kaplan. "He will be remembered as one the best student-athletes and most successful coaches in the decorated history of our athletics program. Most importantly, he was a passionate supporter of his beloved alma mater, an institution that always held a special place in his heart. Throughout his distinguished career at the University of New Haven – and in reaching the highest level of his profession – he embodied the ideals we strive to instill in all of our students. The countless people celebrating his life today is testament to the legions of people he profoundly impacted as a coach, mentor, and friend."
A new Haven native, Sparano attended Richard C. Lee High School from 1975-78 where he earned All-District honors and an All-State Honorable Mention berth as a senior. As an undergraduate at New Haven, he was a four-year letter winner and the starting center on the gridiron. As a senior, Sparano was named the New Haven Gridiron Club's Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
Upon his graduation, Sparano began his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant where he saw the Blue and Gold make the transition from Division III to Division II in 1982. After transitioning to a full-time role, he helped lead the Chargers to a 27-13 record while also receiving the program's first-ever national ranking (1987). In that initial stint with New Haven he was an offensive line coach under Larry McElreavy. He kept those duties and added recruiting coordinator to his responsibilities when Palmer took over as head coach in 1986.
In 1987, Sparano followed Palmer to Boston University where he assumed responsibilities as offensive line coach, strength and conditioning coach, recruiting coordinator and academic coordinator. In December of 1990 he trimmed those responsibilities down to offensive coordinator as well as coaching the offensive line.
While at Boston University, the Terriers were listed among the Division I-AA national leaders, including in his final season when they led the Yankee Conference in passing (292 yards per game) and in total offense (459 yards per game). That season, he helped lead the Terriers to an 11-0 regular season record and to capture the Lambert Cup as well as the ECAC Team of the Year.
Sparano returned to New Haven in January 1994 when he was named the sixth football coach in the history of the program. The highlight of Sparano's five seasons as head coach was a 12-2 record in 1997, capped off with a trip to the 1997 National Championship game in Florence, Alabama. New Haven was the first team from Connecticut ever to play in a National Championship football game and the smallest school ever according to enrollment to play for the Division II National Title. Overall, Sparano posted a 4-2 record in NCAA Playoff competition; while his .741 winning percentage is third all-time among New Haven head coaches.
He left the Chargers in February of 1999 to join Palmer on the coaching staff of the expansion Cleveland Browns. His NFL coaching highlight came as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2008-11. Overall, Sparano has spent time with Cleveland, Washington, Jacksonville, Dallas, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco and most recently, as the offensive line coach with the Minnesota Vikings.
Sparano is survived by his wife Jeanette; his two sons Tony and Andrew; his daughter, Ryan Leigh; and four grandchildren.
Photo Credit: Jeff Haynes/Associated Press