Former Cowboys assistant Sparano died of heart disease
Interim head coach Tony Sparano of the Raiders claps as his players warm up before a game between the Broncos and the Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 28, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A county medical examiner says Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano died of heart disease.
The Hennepin County medical examiner's office said Monday that the 56-year-old Sparano died of arteriosclerotic heart disease, or hardening of the arteries. The manner of death is listed as natural.
Sparano died Sunday in Eden Prairie, a Minneapolis suburb. He had been the Vikings' offensive line coach since 2016.
Sparano began his NFL coaching career in 1999 and had stints as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders.
He was the Dolphins' head coach from 2008-11 and went 29-32. He went 11-5 and won the AFC East in his first season with Miami.
Sparano also spent time with the Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, Cowboys and 49ers.
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