Former Cowboys assistant Tony Sparano has died at the age of 56. He was the first tight ends coach for former Cowboys great Jason Witten in 2003.
The Vikings announced Coach Sparano's passing Sunday morning. He was entering his third season as Minnesota's offensive line coach under former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Sparano was part of Bill Parcells' first Cowboys coaching staff in 2003, serving as tight ends coach. The club drafted Witten that season.
Over five seasons in Dallas, Sparano also coached the Cowboys' offensive line, coordinated the run game and served as assistant head coach for Wade Phillips in 2007.
Parcells and the Dolphins hired Sparano as head coach in 2008. Sparano coached in Miami for four seasons and also was the Raiders' interim coach in 2014.
