The New York Jets have named Tony Sparano offensive coordinator. The announcement was made by head coach Rex Ryan.
"When we sat down with Tony, I knew he was the right person at the right time for our offense," said Ryan. "I've admired his work as a competitor in the division for the past three seasons. His teams were always physical, tough and hard-nosed."
Sparano joins the Jets after spending the previous four seasons as Miami's head coach. With the Dolphins coming off a 1-15 season in 2007, Sparano took over the following season and his new team posted an 11-5 record, winning the AFC East. The 10-win improvement matched the NFL record set by the 1999 Indianapolis Colts. In his three-plus seasons with the Dolphins, he compiled a 29-32 record.
"I'm very proud to be part of such an outstanding organization and to have an opportunity to work with these players," said Sparano. "I know this division very well and I'm looking forward to that challenge. I'd like to thank Mr. Johnson, Mike Tannenbaum and Coach Ryan for giving me the opportunity."
In Sparano's Miami offense, QB Chad Pennington threw for a career-high 3,653 yards in 2008 and posted a 97.4 passer rating en route to winning the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award. Additionally, in Sparano's offense both RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams registered at least 600 yards rushing from 2008-10, while RB Reggie Bush recorded the first 1,000-yard rushing performance of his career this season.
Prior to being named head coach in Miami, Sparano coached the Dallas Cowboys, serving as the team's tight ends coach from 2003-04, offensive line/running game coordinator in 2005, assistant head coach/offensive line/running game coordinator in 2006 and assistant head coach/offensive line in 2007.
In 2006, with Sparano as the primary playcaller, the Dallas offense ranked fourth in scoring and fifth in total offense, producing two 1,000-yard wide receivers (Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn) and a 1,000-yard rusher (Julius Jones). As the Cowboys tight ends coach, Sparano tutored Jason Witten for his first two NFL seasons.
Entering the NFL as a coach in 1999, Sparano served as the offensive quality control coach in Cleveland before being promoted to the Browns' offensive line coach the following season. He coached tight ends for Washington in 2001 and Jacksonville in 2002.
